World's First PET Biorecycling Plant

01.03.2024

In a significant advancement for sustainable materials management, CARBIOS, a leader in developing and industrializing biological technologies for plastic and textile lifecycle reinvention, has teamed up with De Smet Engineers & Contractors (DSEC), renowned for its Engineering, Procurement, and Construction services in the biotech and agro-processing sectors. This collaboration aims to launch the world's first PET biorecycling plant in Longlaville, France, set to be operational by 2025.

Pioneering PET Waste Solution

CARBIOS' inaugural commercial facility represents a critical step towards combating plastic pollution, offering a scalable industrial solution for enzymatic depolymerization of PET waste. This process promotes a circular economy for plastics and textiles, addressing the urgent need for sustainable waste management practices.

Innovative Collaboration: Over 70 experts from De Smet will work closely with CARBIOS to ensure the project adheres to timelines, budgets, and maintains high standards of quality, safety, health, and environmental care.

Construction Milestones: The plant's construction is already underway, with progress on schedule, demonstrating the effectiveness of the partnership and the commitment to environmental sustainability.

Exhibitors & products around recycling

Statements from Leadership

De Smet was selected after a comprehensive bidding process... With our combined expertise and shared ambition, this collaboration marks a significant step towards fulfilling CARBIOS' vision of a sustainable future for plastic and textiles.

We are proud to support CARBIOS' groundbreaking investment... We are thrilled to have been entrusted by CARBIOS with the construction of the plant and are fully committed to the success of this innovative project.

About the Biorecycling Plant

Image: Computer model of the world's first biorecycling plant in France; Copyright: Inditex

The first commercial plant from CARBIOS offers a scalable industrial solution for the enzymatic depolymerisation of PET waste. Copyright: CARBIOS

The CARBIOS facility is a game-changer in PET recycling, enabling the circularity of PET materials and providing an efficient solution for PET producers, waste management companies, public entities, and brands to meet regulatory requirements and sustainability goals. The plant's capabilities include:

Capacity: Processing 50,000 tons of post-consumer PET waste annually.

Jobs Creation: Generating 150 direct and indirect jobs in the region.

Sustainability Impact: Addressing previously low-value waste such as colored PET bottles, food trays, and textiles.

In October 2023, CARBIOS secured the necessary building and site operating permits, with the land officially acquired from Indorama Ventures in February 2024. This milestone underscores the project's importance in advancing circular economy principles within the plastics and textiles industries.