Novozymes, the global leader in biological solutions, and Carbios, a pioneer in the discovery and industrialisation of biological technologies to reinvent the life cycle of plastics and textiles, announce an exclusive long-term global strategic alliance. The world's first biological PET recycling facility, scheduled to begin operations in Longlaville (France) in 2025, as well as Carbios' future licensee customers, will be able to produce and supply its proprietary PET-degrading enzymes on a long-term basis thanks to this significant deal.

Since 2019, Carbios and Novozymes have collaborated to create enzyme-based solutions that solve the sustainability issue of plastic pollution in both the PET recycling1 and PLA biodegradation2 industries. In accordance with the new agreement, Carbios and Novozymes will continue their partnership to develop, improve, and produce enzymes that will then be provided by Novozymes to all licensees of Carbios' technology. This builds on the present Joint Development Agreement (JDA). Both parties are given exclusivity in the partnership's field under the new agreement.

With Carbios' upcoming industrial reference unit in Longlaville (France), which will be the first biological PET-recycling plant in the world, the strategic alliance promotes the large-scale industrial deployment of the company's unique PET-recycling technology. Both the building permit and the operation permit have been submitted to the local authorities, and construction will start later this year. The plant will begin operating in 2025, and it will have a processing capacity of 50,000 tonnes of garbage annually.

Emmanuel Ladent, CEO of Carbios, said that they’re excited to expand their partnership with Novozymes, the global leader in biological solutions, and to build on their excellent current connection to deliver a sustainable supply solution for their future customers. Their shared commitment to achieving a genuinely circular economy for plastics and textiles that will help the environment and be profitable for all business partners is evidenced by Novozymes' ongoing assistance.

Hans Ole Klingenberg, Vice President, Marketing Agricultural & Industrial Biosolutions of Novozymes, said that they are thrilled to advance their relationship with Carbios by signing this exclusive agreement and to help the next phase of scaling this new industry of biological plastic recycling. Novozymes is thrilled to help bring Carbios' biorecycling of PET plastics and fibers to market by offering biological solutions on a big scale.