CARBIOS and FCC Environment UK, a company specialising in recycling and waste management, have signed a letter of intent (LoI) to explore the establishment of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) biorecycling facility in the UK.  

The facility would use CARBIOS' licensed technology to advance the circular economy through innovative recycling processes. 

The collaboration aligns with FCC's goal of introducing new methods to produce recycled PET (rPET) from PET plastic and textiles. 

This LoI confirms interest from the domestic waste management sector and potentially establishes a strong presence for CARBIOS' technology in the market.  

The move comes as recycling rates have plateaued in the UK, despite government policies favouring a shift towards a more circular economy, which FCC supports. 

The company is particularly interested in the potential for lower energy consumption and improved circularity of polymers back into PET production lines, which could be realised using enzymatic treatments. 

CARBIOS' depolymerisation process enables the recycling of all types of PET waste, including challenging fractions such as polyester textiles, into high-quality rPET.  

This technology represents a significant advancement in tackling the plastic waste crisis by allowing for the solvent-free recycling of PET plastic and textile waste into products comparable to virgin materials. 

With plans to become a leading technology provider in PET recycling by 2035, CARBIOS is also constructing the world's first industrial-scale enzymatic PET recycling plant in Longlaville, France.  

Meanwhile, the proposed UK-based plant would further expand CARBIOS' reach by processing PET waste that is currently unrecyclable through conventional methods, including coloured, multilayered, or textile waste. 

CARBIOS CEO Emmanuel Ladent said: “By creating value from waste, CARBIOS’ PET biorecycling technology is generating significant interest from waste management companies, proving that CARBIOS’ solution is relevant to both PET producers and waste management companies.  

“For CARBIOS, partnering with FCC means access to feedstock at the source through its established collection systems, enhancing the efficiency and impact of our sustainable waste solution. I’m confident that the combination of our complementary areas of expertise will benefit both our companies, and the acceleration of a circular economy.” 

Recently, SASA signed an LoI for its acquisition of a licence for CARBIOS’ PET biorecycling technology.