Lululemon backs nylon recycling startup Syntetica in $30M Series A

Activewear company Lululemon has participated in a $30 million Series A funding round for Syntetica, a French startup focused on nylon recycling. Syntetica aims to provide a novel solution for reprocessing nylon, a material notoriously difficult to recycle due to its durable properties.

The startup TKTK claims its process can handle both Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6, types of nylon that are typically hard to separate from mixed textile waste. CEO Marco Bertone stated this capability addresses a significant gap in the textile industry's pursuit of circularity.

Increasing regulatory pressures and recent price volatility in the nylon market have prompted fashion brands to seek more sustainable material solutions. Geopolitical events affecting the oil industry, a primary source for synthetic materials, have led to unpredictable nylon pricing, highlighting the need for diversified and recycled material sources.

Syntetica emphasizes its focus on cost-competitiveness and scalability, essential for widespread adoption. "If you want to scale real solutions for a sustainable world, it needs to be cost competitive, highly scalable, and you need to build partnerships from the very start," Bertone said. The company's strategy involves early collaboration with industry partners.

In addition to Lululemon, the funding round included investments from Victoria's Secret and Etam, alongside apparel manufacturer MAS Holdings. Syntetica has also previously partnered with Michelin's Centre for Sustainable Materials to establish a commercial demonstration facility, signaling significant industry interest in its recycling technology.