Carbios PET Biorecycling Technology

Carbios is a French biotech company created in 2011 and based in Clermont-Ferrand. It develops enzymatic processes that recycle PET bottles, trays, films and polyester textiles that traditional recycling cannot handle because they are mixed, coloured or contaminated, and a PLA biodegradation technology for bio-based packaging.

In the PET biorecycling process, waste is shredded, melted and turned into expanded granules, then placed in a reactor with water and a patented enzyme that depolymerises it in under 24 hours. The solution is filtered and passed through activated carbon to remove dyes, and the two monomers, r-PTA and r-MEG, are isolated at over 99.5% purity. Carbios licenses the technology to PET producers, chemical companies and waste managers, supplies enzymes and works with brands on circular products.

• Waste preparation: shredding, melting and expansion of PET into granules to maximise enzyme contact.
• Enzymatic depolymerisation: a patented enzyme breaks PET down in water in under 24 hours.
• Filtration and decolourisation: activated carbon removes dyes and micropollutants.
• Monomer purification: r-PTA and r-MEG are isolated at more than 99.5% purity.
• Licensing package: licensed units operated in joint ventures or by third parties, with enzyme supply.
• Brand co-development: joint programmes for bottles, cosmetics packaging, fibres and footwear.

Vietnamese PET resin and fibre producers can evaluate a licensed biorecycling unit to process coloured bottles and textile waste. Garment exporters can supply post-industrial polyester scrap and secure recycled fibre for European buyers. Cosmetic and beverage brands can co-develop packaging made from enzymatically recycled PET.

The process accepts complex, coloured and contaminated PET and polyester that would otherwise be landfilled or incinerated. Output monomers allow virgin-like rPET suitable for food contact and textiles, with stable quality over repeated cycles. The company reports a 92% reduction in CO2 emissions versus virgin PET. Licensed plants can help brands comply with PPWR, EPR and recycled-content quotas.

Recycled-content mandates such as the EU PPWR and brand commitments are increasing demand for food-grade rPET and recycled polyester, while mechanical recycling cannot handle coloured or textile waste. Asia is becoming a hub for enzymatic recycling, with a licensed plant planned in China, relevant for Vietnam's PET packaging and textile industries.

Created in 2011 in Clermont-Ferrand, France, and listed on Euronext Growth Paris (ALCRB). Certified B Corp, 74 employees and 51 patent families. A demonstration plant has run since 2021; a 50,000-tonne plant in Longlaville, France, is awaiting financial close, which in August 2026 was delayed beyond 30 September 2026. A 50,000-tonne plant in Haining, China, with Wankai New Materials is planned for 2028.