CARBIOS and SASA, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of polyester, fiber, filament yarn, polyester-based polymers, specialty polymers, and intermediates, have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to explore a partnership. This partnership involves SASA’s potential acquisition of a license for CARBIOS’ unique PET biorecycling technology.
Enzymatic Depolymerization Plant with Capacity of 100,000 Tons Per Year
This licensing agreement would allow SASA to construct and operate an enzymatic depolymerization plant in Adana, Turkey. The plant would have a capacity to process 100,000 tons per year of prepared PET waste. This technology would allow SASA to produce polyester pellets, fibers, and textiles from various waste sources, including polyester textile waste. With CARBIOS’ biorecycling technology, SASA aims to diversify its offerings to meet the growing global demand for sustainable materials in the textile industry, particularly in the European market.
Less than 1% of textile waste is currently recycled into new textile fibers. However, with European regulations pushing for at least 20% recycled fibers by 2030, demand for recycled polyester in the EU is expected to rise. Turkey is naturally positioned to become a major producer alongside Asian countries.
SASA is working to become the largest supplier of high value-added polyester in the region and beyond. To achieve this, SASA is integrating recycling into its operations, which already span the entire value chain from PET production to fiber and textile conversion. CARBIOS’ PET biorecycling technology is a key component of SASA’s transformation strategy, which includes back integration, capacity expansion, increased competitiveness, and circularity.
Collaboration to Become One of the Leading PET Recycling Technology Provider
CARBIOS has developed a revolutionary enzymatic depolymerization technology that enables efficient and solvent-free recycling of PET plastic and textile waste into virgin-like products. The company has ambitious plans to become a leading technology provider in PET recycling by 2035. The recent announcement of a joint Letter of Intent with Zhink Group in China, along with this new LOI in Europe, highlights the global traction for CARBIOS biorecycling technology. This potential licensing agreement in Turkey marks another significant step in the international expansion of CARBIOS’ licensing model.
In addition to the world’s first industrial-scale enzymatic PET recycling plant under construction in Longlaville, France, this potential plant in Turkey would process PET waste that is currently not recyclable using conventional recycling technologies.
“With the creation of a major PET yarn and fiber manufacturing capacity on a European scale, we believe Turkey will play a pivotal role in the expanding textile market. Partnering with SASA, a leader in polyester production, is a natural fit for CARBIOS’ international ambitions for licensing our biorecycling technology and will contribute to a more circular and sustainable textile industry,” Emmanuel Ladent, CEO of CARBIOS.
“As a leading producer of polyester, it’s our duty to pave the way in terms of sustainability and environmental responsibility. SASA needs to be a part of the recycling business and our partnership with CARBIOS reinforces our commitment to innovation to advance a circular economy for textiles,” Dr. M. Kemal Öz, general manager, SASA.