CARBIOS breaks ground on first PET biorecycling plant
CARBIOS has begun construction on its first PET biorecycling plant in Longlaville, France. The facility utilizes proprietary enzymatic technology and is stated to be a world first.
CARBIOS commenced construction on its first PET biorecycling plant in Longlaville, France, on Thursday, April 25, 2024. This facility, the first of its kind globally, employs the company's enzymatic depolymerization technology to recycle PET plastic waste into new plastics and textiles.
The plant is designed to process 50 kilotons of PET waste annually at full capacity. CARBIOS' technology offers a solution for waste streams such as multilayered packaging, colored and opaque containers, and polyester textiles, which have historically been difficult or impossible to recycle using conventional methods. The project aims to accelerate the transition to a circular economy for plastics.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by over 200 guests, including representatives from local authorities, partner brands, and industrial collaborators. PET is the second most widely used plastic globally, traditionally derived from oil. CARBIOS' technology aims to enable the production of PET from recycled waste, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
French President Emmanuel Macron commented on the project, calling it a "technological revolution" and "French pride," linking ecological transition with growth from locally sourced innovation. The plant is expected to be operational and begin delivering significant volumes of recycled materials to customers in 2026. The initiative also supports France's objectives for industrial reindustrialization and the promotion of a sustainable economy.