#France #Reju #circular economy #Textile Regeneration #Lacq

Reju's Vision for Europe's Textile Future

Reju, a pioneer in textile regeneration, has recently announced its plans for a new industrial-scale Regeneration Hub in Lacq, located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques region of France. This facility is part of Reju's commitment to revolutionize the textile industry by converting post-consumer textiles into high-quality recycled polyester, addressing a significant environmental concern in the process.

With alarming statistics indicating that around 121 million tons of textiles are discarded each year, yet only a mere 1% of these materials are recycled into new garments, Reju’s initiative is both timely and critical. The majority of discarded textiles end up in landfills or are incinerated, posing severe ecological challenges. By establishing this hub, Reju aims to create sustainable practices that prioritize textile waste reprocessing and contribute to a circular economy.

Strengthening France’s Leadership in Sustainability

This Regeneration Hub is expected to enhance France's role as a leader in carbon-neutral industrial innovation. Supported by Technip Energies, which is also the parent company of Reju, the facility will employ advanced technology specifically developed for textile regeneration. One of the key processes will involve utilizing Reju's proprietary depolymerization technology to transform textile waste from local sources into recycled raw materials (rBHET), which will then be repolymerized into new polyester.

The project reflects France's strategic position in the circular textile sector, combining efforts from both the private sector and public institutions to establish a robust framework for sustainable manufacturing. Expected to generate approximately 80 direct jobs along with over 300 indirect employment opportunities, the hub aligns with the nation’s ambitious goals for economic de-carbonization.

A Comprehensive Approach to Circularity

Patrik Frisk, CEO of Reju, emphasized the company's strategy to industrialize a circular model for post-consumer textiles. He stated, “By leveraging the ambitious French circular economy agenda and expanding our technology into new markets, we strengthen our mission of transforming textile waste into valuable, sustainable resources.”

Reju is also keen on establishing a scalable circular infrastructure across France and Europe that facilitates textile traceability and closes the loop on fiber utilization.

This project will join Reju’s existing initiatives, including the Zero Regeneration Hub in Frankfurt, the upcoming site in Chemelot, Netherlands, and the recently announced hub in Eastman Business Park in Rochester, New York. The choice of Lacq as the site for this initiative has been celebrated by local development agency Chemparc, indicating its strategic importance in promoting a carbon-neutral circular economy.

Commitment to Innovation and Ecosystem Development

Reju leverages collaborative technology developed in partnership with IBM Research to recover, regenerate, and reuse textile waste, primarily beginning with polyester. The company engages actively with institutions and organizations such as ReHubs, Petcore, and Evolen to build a circular ecosystem that meets European standards for traceability in the textile-to-textile sector.

About Reju

Founded with a mission to tap into limitless possibilities from finite resources, Reju focuses on innovative solutions for the regeneration of textile waste, particularly polyester textiles and PET. With operations under Technip Energies, Reju aspires to establish a global system for circular textiles, facilitating the regeneration and reuse of polyester garments. More information can be found at reju.com.

About Technip Energies

Technip Energies is a global engineering and technology company recognized for its leadership in LNG, hydrogen, ethylene, sustainable chemistry, and CO2 management. The company is dedicated to driving key markets towards sustainability and circular economy practices through innovative solutions. With strong customer collaboration, it aims to balance prosperity with sustainability, thereby creating a lasting world. In 2024, Technip Energies reported a revenue of €6.9 billion and is listed on Euronext Paris. Additional information is available at ten.com.