CARBIOS announces the development of a new process enabling to depolymerize PET polyester fibers from textile waste

CARBIOS announced that it has taken a new step forward in the development of its enzymatic depolymerization process rending it applicable to PET polyester fibers from textile waste.

After the successful demonstration that enzymatic depolymerization applied to PET plastics enables the virtuous cycle of a return to a virgin PET, CARBIOS opens a new major market by depolymerizing 100% PET textile waste fibers into their original monomers: PTA (terephthalic acid) and MEG (mono ethylene glycol).

Indeed, polyester is today the single-largest-volume fiber produced globally, taking about a 50% share of the overall fiber market . The dominant type of polyester is polyethylene terephthalate most commonly known as PET. Each year, 43 million tons of PET are produced for the fiber market , compared to 15 million tons dedicated to the production of plastic bottles.

The key objective of this new process developed with CARBIOS academic partners (INRA/TWB/LISBP) and supported by ADEME Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, is to provide:
– the recycling industry, a competitive solution to upcycle post-consumer PET polyester fabrics;
– and the textile industry, the ability to use recycled PET fibers that can fully replace those made from fossil resources.

Thus, contributing to several environmental benefits as the reduction of waste to landfills and reduction of carbon footprint.

CARBIOS
Biopôle Clermont-Limagne
Contact : Benjamin Audebert | benjamin.audebert@carbios.fr
Phone: +33 473 865 176