#France #Reju #Textile Recycling #circular economy #Lacq

Reju Establishes a Regeneration Hub in Lacq, France

Reju, a pioneering textile regeneration company based in France, has officially announced the selection of Lacq, located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques region, as the site for its first industrial-sized regeneration hub. This significant move aligns with Reju's broader goal of advancing the circular textile economy in Europe by transforming post-consumer textiles into high-quality recycled polyester. The project is aimed at tackling the pressing issue of textile waste, which sees 121 million tons discarded annually, with a mere 1% being recycled into new garments.

As part of its commitment to sustainability and innovation, Reju emphasizes the importance of regenerative solutions in the textile industry. The proposed factory will utilize Reju's patented depolymerization technology to convert post-consumer textile waste into rBHET, a regenerated raw material necessary for producing new polyester. This process exemplifies a commitment to recycling and sustainable manufacturing practices, thereby addressing critical environmental challenges.

The Strategic Significance of Lacq

The choice of Lacq as the site for this hub underscores the region's industry-friendly environment and its potential to become a hub of circular industrial innovation. Backed by Technip Energies, Reju is set to strengthen France's position as a leader in low-carbon industrial innovations. The hub's development is expected to not only boost the local economy by generating direct and indirect employment opportunities—estimated at 80 direct jobs and over 300 indirect— but also position France at the forefront of the circular economy movement.

Patrik Frisk, CEO of Reju, stated, "This French regeneration center is integral to our strategy for industrializing a circular model of post-consumer textiles. By leveraging France's ambitious circular economy program and progressing our technology to new markets, we enhance our mission to convert textile waste into valuable circular resources."

The hub is expected to play a crucial role in establishing an effective textile-to-textile traceability system, effectively closing the loop in the utilization of fibers and ensuring greater accountability in textile waste management. This project represents the next step for Reju following its Regeneration Hub Zero in Frankfurt, the selected site in Chemelot, Netherlands, and a recent initiative in Rochester, New York, all aimed at developing diverse textile regeneration infrastructures.

Collaborations and Future Goals

Reju's plans in Lacq are supported by Chemparc, a state-backed development agency, affirming its commitment to fostering sustainable industrial practices in the area. Audrey Le-Bars, General Director of Chemparc, remarked on the significance of this development, highlighting the attractiveness of Lacq's industrial basin as a natural fit for low-carbon circular economy initiatives.

In partnership with IBM Research, Reju employs proprietary technology to recover, regenerate, and recycle textile waste, initially focusing on polyester. This collaboration enhances the company's ability to drive forward a circular textile ecosystem that complies with European regulations while ensuring stakeholders' traceability requirements are met.

Reju is dedicated not only to mitigating the textile waste crisis but also to unlocking boundless opportunities from limited resources. As it continues to innovate, Reju aims to establish a global circular system for polyester textiles, effectively transforming the landscape of textile sustainability.

In summary, Reju's new regeneration hub in Lacq represents a significant advancement in the circular textile economy, demonstrating a robust commitment to sustainable practices while addressing the urgent need for recycling and waste management within the textile industry. With ambitious plans and strategic partnerships, Reju is poised to lead the way toward a more sustainable and economically viable future for textiles in Europe.