CARBIOS, a leader in biological technology for plastic and textile lifecycle innovation, and Tomra Textiles, a tech venture by sorting technology expert TOMRA, have signed an agreement to develop an efficient textile waste recycling stream in Northern Europe.

This collaboration focuses on the entire recycling process, from textile waste collection and sorting to preparation using CARBIOS’ enzymatic depolymerization technology at its new commercial plant in Longlaville, France. The resulting monomers will be used to create recycled polyester (r-PET) fiber, promoting polyester textile circularity.

Innovations from Tomra Textiles and CARBIOS aim to close critical gaps in the value chain, significantly boosting textile-to-textile recycling from its current 1 percent rate. This partnership provides a sustainable alternative to incineration or landfill for polyester textiles.

CARBIOS’ biorecycling technology uses enzymes to break down polyester fibers into basic components, which are then converted into high-quality recycled PET materials for the textile industry. The collaboration with Tomra aims to effectively redirect PET textile waste towards biorecycling, demonstrating both companies’ dedication to innovative recycling solutions.