In the coming decade, the demand for recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in textiles is projected to soar to 30 metric tons annually. Responding to this need, Paris-based energy transition technology firm Technip Energies has joined forces with Under Armour and IBM to establish Reju, a pioneering company dedicated to PET recycling.
Arnaud Pieton, CEO of Technip Energies, highlighted the current challenge: "Globally, less than 1 percent of PET textile waste is recycled today, resulting in the majority ending up in landfills rather than being repurposed into new clothing. The obstacle to achieving textile circularity lies not in the lack of demand for recycling but in the absence of an economically viable solution on an industrial scale."
Revolutionizing PET Recycling
Under the leadership of former Under Armour CEO Patrik Frisk, Reju is set to leverage VolCat, an IBM technology developed in collaboration with Under Armour and Technip, to rejuvenate waste PET packaging and polyester on an industrial scale. Functioning as a molecular sorter, VolCat regenerates hard-to-recycle polyester garments and PET packaging, diverting them from landfills.
Under the leadership of former Under Armour CEO Patrik Frisk, Reju harnesses IBM's VolCat technology in collaboration with Under Armour and Technip to revolutionize PET recycling, acting as a molecular sorter to regenerate hard-to-recycle polyester garments and PET packaging on an industrial scale, diverting them from landfills and paving the way for a circular ecosystem in textile recycling.
Sustainable Strides: Building on Technip's Legacy of Innovation
In a continuation of its commitment to sustainability, Technip achieved a remarkable feat the previous year by collaborating with Zara, LanzaTech, and Borealis to introduce CleanCloud—a groundbreaking EVA foam incorporating captured carbon monoxide from steel mills. This pioneering material found its way into On Running’s Cloudprime running sneaker, making waves as the industry's first shoe crafted from carbon emissions.
September marked a significant milestone for Reju, as the company celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony for its demonstration plant located at Technip Energies’ Frankfurt Research Center. Expected to be operational by 2024, this facility will serve as a testament to the scalability and viability of Reju's PET recycling process. With an ambitious aim to revolutionize the PET textile industry, Reju is propelling it toward a future defined by sustainability and circular practices.