Carbios shows off biorecycling first

The groundbreaking ceremony has taken place in France for what is claimed to be the world’s first PET biorecycling facility on an industrial scale.

Located in Longlaville, close to the borders of Belgium and Luxembourg, it is the first commercial plant from Carbios, a pioneer in the development of biological technologies to process scrap plastic and textiles.

The facility offers an industrial-scale solution for the enzymatic depolymerisation of PET. The plant will have the capacity to process 50 000 tonnes of material per year when operating at full capacity. Construction and implementation are on schedule with products first due to be delivered to customers in 2026.

Pioneer plant

Carbios’ enzymatic biorecycling technology opens up new recycling streams for multi-layered, coloured and opaque trays made from packaging waste and polyester textile waste. The company says the development positions France as a pioneer in green innovation. It is receiving EUR 54 million in state and federal funds.

The French president, Emmanuel Macron called thebiorecycling plant ‘particularly significant’. ‘It illustrates France’s commitment to the ecological transition and demonstrates our ability to turn challenges into opportunities for a more sustainable future,’ he said.

Carbios ceo Emmanuel Ladent added: ‘This ground-breaking ceremony for the Longlaville plant marks the start of our industrial and commercial roll-out to make Carbios a world leader in plastic recycling in the coming years.