CARBIOS (Euronext Development Paris: ALCRB), a pioneer in the development and industrialization of biotechnology to regenerate the life cycle of plastics and textiles, held the groundbreaking ceremony of the first PET biorecycling plant around the world in the presence of local government representatives, brand partners and industry partners that all make up the CARBIOS ecosystem. Located in Longlaville, in the Grand-Est region of France, CARBIOS' first commercial plant will play a key role in the fight against plastic pollution, providing an industrial-scale solution for the depolymerization of plastics. PET waste to promote a circular economy for plastics and textiles. The plant will have a processing capacity of 50kt/year of prepared waste when operating at full capacity. Work is progressing on schedule with significant quantities delivered to customers by 2026.
PET, the second most widely used plastic in the world, is mainly produced from oil. Thanks to CARBIOS' enzymatic biorecycling technology, PET will no longer be produced from oil but from its own waste. This technological breakthrough opens up new recycling streams for laminated, colored and opaque trays made from packaging waste and polyester textile waste, which until now have hardly been recycled or have not been recycled, giving them value. In addition, this breakthrough positions France as a pioneer in green innovation, contributing to re-industrialization and leading the transition to a sustainable economy.
In a LinkedIn post published on April 24, 2024, Emmanuel Macron, president of France, said: “A technological revolution is taking shape tomorrow with the groundbreaking ceremony for the CARBIOS plant in Longlaville: the world's first biorecycling plant. Pride of the French! Ecological transition and growth, made in France, and innovation go hand in hand.”
Christophe Béchu, Minister of Ecological Transition and Territorial Integration: “At a time when governments are negotiating an international treaty to combat plastic pollution in Ottowa, the start of CARBIOS's biorecycling plant is especially important. It illustrates France's commitment to the ecological transition and demonstrates our ability to turn challenges into opportunities for a more sustainable future. This factory, a world first, embodies French innovation in responding to complex environmental challenges, offering sustainable solutions for a future where plastic and textile waste will be transformed into valuable resources for a truly circular economy.”
Roland Lescure, delegate of the Minister in charge of Industry: “This inauguration is a symbol of the green industrial revolution we have made possible over the past year: French technology is sustainable, innovative and creates jobs. It's also emblematic of the approach I'm taking across all industry sectors: the ecosystem of contracts. With the financial and administrative support of the French government, the new CARBIOS plant in Longlaville will remove a major technological barrier to the development of the textile recycling industry in France.”
Franck Leroy, president of Région Grand-Est : « I am proud to support the implementation of the world's first factory dedicated to biorecycling PET. CARBIOS is the perfect illustration of our vision of modern, responsible re-industrialisation, placing the Grand Est region at the heart of the ecological transition. This important innovation in the fight against plastic pollution will also create 150 jobs in the Longlaville area. »
Emmanuel Ladent, CEO, CARBIOS : “At CARBIOS, we turned a vision into reality with the groundbreaking of the world's first PET biorecycling plant. Our revolutionary enzymatic depolymerization technology marks the beginning of a new era in plastics recycling, moving from a reliance on oil to a circular economy fueled by waste itself PET. CARBIOS continues its mission by collaborating with strategic partners worldwide and embarking on promising international and commercial deployments. I would like to thank the partner brands and industry partners present, especially L'Oréal Groupe, L'Occitane en Provence, PUMA, Suntory Beverage & Food Europe, Salomon, On, CITEO and Novonesis for their contributions their contribution to the success of this historic event.”
Philippe Pouletty, founder and chairman of the board of directors of CARBIOS: “We can help save the planet through science, passionate teams, public and private funding to meet industrial and commercial stakes, and loyal partners. This groundbreaking ceremony for the Longlaville plant marks the beginning of our industrial and commercial deployment that will position CARBIOS as a world leader in plastic recycling in the years to come.”
Antoine Vanlaeys, chief executive officer, L'Oréal Groupe: “We are delighted to become a long-term partner of CARBIOS: an adventure that began almost seven years ago with the co-founding of a consortium aimed at industrializing plastic biorecycling, then in 2019 with our participation in the capital increase carried out by CARBIOS through our OLD private equity fund, Business Opportunities to Grow L'Oréal. The groundbreaking ceremony for CARBIOS's PET biorecycling plant is another important milestone. It confirms the scaling up of this pioneering technology, contributing to the sustainable management of the life cycle of plastics. We believe in the power of collaboration to build solutions for the future with our partners and move closer to achieving our sustainable development goals. The partnership between L'Oréal Groupe and CARBIOS is testament to this.”
The world's first PET biorecycling plant
CARBIOS's technology enables the recycling of PET and provides alternative raw materials to fossil-based monomers, offering PET manufacturers, waste management companies, public authorities and brands a solution. effective solutions to meet legal requirements and their own commitment to sustainable development. The factory will have the capacity to process 50,000 tons of processed PET waste per year (equivalent to 2 billion colored bottles, 2.5 billion food trays or 300 million T-shirts). The factory will create 150 direct and indirect jobs in the area. In October 2023, CARBIOS received a license to build and operate the site. The factory is currently under construction on land officially acquired from Indorama Ventures on February 14, 2024. In February 2024, CARBIOS and De Smet Engineers & Contractors (DSEC) announced their collaboration for construction management. Several feedstock supply agreements, notably with CITEO and Landbell Group, will secure much of the required raw material. Close to the borders of Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg, the plant's location is strategic for accessing nearby waste supplies.
As part of France 2030, CARBIOS will receive a total of 54 million euros in funding from the French Canton and the Grand-Est Region.
France 2030 is an investment plan of unprecedented scale. €54 billion will be invested to ensure that companies, universities and research organizations can respond competitively to the ecological and attractive challenges of the world ahead, while at the same time promote the emergence of future leaders in our fields of excellence, especially in the field of ecological transition. From basic research, to the emergence of an idea, to the production of a new product or service, France 2030 supports the entire lifecycle of innovation, throughout the industrialization process.
Note: The content of this press release has not been edited by Fiber2Fashion staff.
CARBIOS held the groundbreaking ceremony of the world's first PET biorecycling plant in Longlaville, France. The French government and regional support promote CARBIOS's mission to lead the way in plastic recycling. The factory aims to process 50,000 tons of PET waste per year, contributing to promoting the circular economy and sustainable plastic management in France.
Fiber2 Fashion News Desk (HU)
