DePoly launches industrial-scale facility for fossil-free PET recycling

DePoly, a Swiss cleantech scale-up, will open a demonstration plant in Monthey in summer 2025. The facility will recycle PET and polyester waste into virgin-quality raw materials without fossil inputs – a major step toward a circular plastics economy.

Each year, millions of tonnes of PET and polyester waste are either incinerated or dumped in landfills. DePoly aims to change that. This summer, the company will commission its 500-tonne-per-year demonstration plant in Monthey, Switzerland – a crucial milestone in scaling its proprietary chemical recycling technology.

The plant showcases a process that transforms PET and polyester waste into virgin-quality monomers without relying on fossil resources. This enables a truly circular material flow – where old plastic bottles or textiles are not waste but raw materials for new products.

DePoly’s recycled monomers meet the highest standards of purity and performance. The company has validated its technology in real-world applications through partnerships with global brands across fashion (Odlo), cosmetics, and consumer goods (e.g., PTI). From new packaging to high-performance fibers, the material proves reliable and scalable.

By delivering oil-equivalent monomers, DePoly offers a sustainable alternative to virgin plastics – with the same properties but a significantly lower environmental footprint.

“The upcoming showcase plant validates our roadmap to creating a truly circular plastics market. Following our pilot and showcase plant, our next goal is to scale our operations to industrial size with a first of a kind commercial plant based on our technology,” says Samantha Anderson, Co-founder & CEO.

 DePoly is already planning a commercial plant for 2027, aiming to process much larger volumes of waste and expand its global impact. To support this, the company has secured an additional $23 million in seed funding, with MassMutual Ventures joining the latest closing round.

With more than $30 million raised across two rounds and grants, DePoly is now among Europe’s leading recycling tech players.

David Hanf, who joined as CFO in 2024, brings extensive experience from scale-ups like Smava and Thermondo. “We are convinced our technology is one of the fastest to scale and will allow us to compete with virgin pricing at scale, a key factor for success,” Hanf explains.

Recognized as a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum and winner of the 2024 Top 100 Swiss Startup Award, DePoly is leading the way in fossil-free, circular plastics. By converting discarded plastics into high-quality raw materials, the company is reducing fossil dependency, minimizing waste, and reshaping the recycling industry.