[pageLogInLogOut]
USTER Think Quality

#Recycled Fibers

Carbios and Wankai postpone startup of China’s first PET biorecycling plant to 2028

The industrial deployment of enzymatic PET recycling in Asia is progressing, but at a slower pace than initially planned. French recycling technology company Carbios and its Chinese partner Wankai New Materials have announced that the commissioning of their planned PET biorecycling facility in Haining, Zhejiang Province, has been postponed and is now expected in the first half of 2028.

The project remains a key element of the strategic partnership between the two companies and is intended to become China’s first industrial-scale PET biorecycling plant. Once operational, the facility will process up to 50,000 tonnes of PET waste annually using Carbios’ enzymatic recycling technology.

According to Carbios, progress continues on the preparatory activities required for the project, including engineering and coordination work related to the construction phase, as well as the validation of locally available PET waste streams. However, the company stated that additional technical work is required to adapt the innovative process to the specific characteristics of the Haining site.

As a consequence of the revised timeline, Carbios and Wankai have also agreed to postpone Wankai’s planned €5 million investment in Carbios through a dedicated capital increase. Originally scheduled for the first half of 2026, the transaction is now expected to be completed by the end of the year, subject to the necessary regulatory approvals in China.

Despite the delay, Carbios emphasized that its financial position remains solid. The company reported a Group cash position of €59 million at the end of fiscal year 2025, providing sufficient resources to fund operations and continue advancing its strategic projects.

The Haining plant is expected to serve as an important milestone in the industrialization of enzymatic PET recycling in Asia and a key reference project for the broader commercialization of Carbios’ technology.



More News from CARBIOS

#Recycled Fibers

Carbios and Fiber-to-Fiber Consortium validate recycled polyester production from complex waste

Carbios has announced the successful production of high-quality recycled polyester T-shirts made from complex textile and plastic waste on European industrial manufacturing lines, in collaboration with Fiber-to-Fiber Consortium members Patagonia, PUMA and Salomon.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Carbios confirms Longlaville plant in France following financing progress

Carbios has reaffirmed its plans to build its Longlaville plant in France within a project financing framework, targeting the start of production in the first half of 2028. The company also reports a solid cash position of around €60 million at the end of 2025 and has appointed Benoît Grenot as Deputy Chief Executive Officer to support the execution of its strategic projects.

#Recycled Fibers

CARBIOS and Wankai sign strategic PET biorecycling pact

CARBIOS (Euronext Growth Paris: ALCRB) and Wankai New Materials (“Wankai”), a listed subsidiary of Zhink Group, the 3rd largest PET producer in China and 4th worldwide, announce the signing of the definitive agreement establishing a strategic partnership for the industrial rollout of CARBIOS’s PET biorecycling technology in Asia. The first milestone will be the construction of a PET biorecycling plant in China.

#Recycled Fibers

CARBIOS and Wankai plan 1 million tonnes of PET biorecycling capacity in Asia

CARBIOS and Wankai New Materials, a subsidiary of Zhink Group, are committed to the large-scale deployment of CARBIOS’ PET biorecycling technology in Asia, with the first step being the construction of a PET biorecycling plant in China.

More News on Recycled Fibers

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Circulose resumes recycling of discarded cotton textiles and appoints interim CEO

Circulose today announced its restart of commercial-scale production plant at Ortviken in Sundsvall, Sweden, marking a significant step in scaling next-generation materials for the global fashion industry. The Ortviken plant is the world’s first commercial-scale chemical textile recycling facility. Its restart demonstrates that the fashion industry is seeking ways to scale proven solutions that move beyond pilots and into commercial production.

#Recycled Fibers

Reju expands textile-to-textile recycling network with six international fabric manufacturers

Reju, a textile-to-textile regeneration company, is expanding its industrial network through collaborations with six fabric manufacturers in Europe and the Americas. The initiative aims to accelerate the integration of regenerated polyester into textile manufacturing and support the development of finished fabrics for commercial applications.

#Recycled Fibers

C&A and Zalando join Altag® Fiber Club to accelerate adoption of agricultural waste-based fibres

Fashion for Good and AltMat announced today that C&A and Zalando have joined the Altag® Fiber Club as its first brand signatories, marking a critical commercial milestone in the journey to mainstream adoption of next-generation fibres derived from agricultural waste.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

ReHubs calls on industry experts to shape Textiles Recycling Expo 2027 conference programme

ReHubs is proud to continue its collaboration with Textiles Recycling Expo as the Structural Partner for the third consecutive year, reinforcing its commitment to bringing together the organisations, expertise and solutions needed to scale textile-to-textile recycling across Europe.

Latest News

#Retail & Brands

Marks & Spencer expands across Asia Pacific through partnership with Global Fashion Group

Marks & Spencer (M&S) and Global Fashion Group (GFG) have announced a strategic partnership to expand the British retailer's fashion business across Asia Pacific. M&S has launched on Southeast Asian fashion platform ZALORA and plans to enter THE ICONIC in Australia and New Zealand in early 2027. The agreement also introduces regional fulfilment for Australian M&S.com orders, enabling faster deliveries and returns while supporting a capital-light international growth strategy.

#Natural Fibers

Woolmark survey: 82% of consumers prefer natural fibres over synthetics

A new consumer survey commissioned by Woolmark and conducted by Ipsos across five major markets reveals a strong preference for natural fibres over synthetic alternatives. On average, 82% of respondents in the United States, France, Germany, Italy and China said they would choose natural fibres when price, style and fit are equal. The findings coincide with the launch of Woolmark's new global brand platform, “Return to Real”, which highlights the natural performance properties of Merino wool and the growing importance of verified fibre quality.

#ITMA Asia + CITME 2026

KARL MAYER introduces MULTIPLY BX for high-efficiency wind turbine reinforcement fabrics

KARL MAYER is expanding its composite machinery portfolio with the new MULTIPLY BX, a biaxial warp knitting machine specifically developed for the production of reinforcement textiles used in wind turbine rotor blades. Designed for high output and efficient material utilisation, the machine achieves production speeds of up to 500 m/h and offers a productivity increase of 20 to 25% compared with the established MAX GLASS ECO. The MULTIPLY BX will make its debut at the KARL MAYER (China) Product Show in Changzhou during ITMA ASIA 2026.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

ReSpin founder Åsa Strandberg receives Innovation Champion of the Year 2026 award

Åsa Strandberg, founder and CEO of Swedish textile recycling company ReSpin AB, has been named Innovation Champion of the Year 2026. The award recognises her development of RespinJenny, a patented technology designed to recycle textile waste into new, high-quality fibres without using water, chemicals or additional virgin raw materials. The distinction was presented by the Olle Oscarsson Foundation and Axera Inkubator at Guldgalan in Sweden.

TOP