#France #Reju #Technip Energies #Lacq

Reju's New Regeneration Hub in France

In a significant development for the European textile industry, Reju, a leader in textile-to-textile regeneration based in France, has revealed plans to establish its first industrial-sized Regeneration Hub in Lacq, located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. This step not only reinforces the company’s position in the market but also exemplifies France's commitment to innovative solutions in the circular textile economy.

Every year, a staggering 121 million tons of textiles are thrown away, with a mere 1% being recycled into new garments. The rest typically finds its way into landfills or is incinerated, contributing to an escalating environmental crisis. Reju is determined to combat this pressing issue through advanced methods that convert waste textiles into valuable new materials.

The new Regeneration Hub will play a crucial role in enhancing France's reputation as a leader in sustainable, low-carbon industrial technologies. Leveraging expertise from its parent company, Technip Energies, Reju aims to implement state-of-the-art textile recycling processes in this new facility. By utilizing proprietary depolymerization technology, the Hub will transform post-consumer textiles into rBHET—a regenerated raw material that will serve as the foundation for creating new polyester fabrics. This process is designed to be both efficient and effective, setting a benchmark for the industry.

Reju's CEO, Patrik Frisk, emphasized the importance of this hub, stating, “This French Regeneration Hub builds on our strategy to industrialize a circular post-consumer textile-to-textile model. By leveraging France's ambitious circular-economy agenda, we aim to transform textile waste into valuable, circular resources.” The project seeks to generate approximately 80 direct jobs along with an additional 300 indirect jobs, showcasing its potential local impact.

The site selection for the hub was made possible through collaboration with Chemparc, a development agency supported by local and regional authorities. Chemparc's CEO, Audrey Le-Bars, acknowledged the strategic significance of this choice, stating it marks a significant advancement in building a low-carbon circular economy in the region. This initiative is anticipated to nurture a new local industry while redefining how textiles are processed and reused in France.

By establishing this hub, Reju is not only addressing the pressing need for textile recycling but also reinforcing a circular economic model encompassing textile-to-textile traceability, which is essential for closing the loop on fiber usage. This new facility aligns with Reju's ongoing initiatives, including similar hubs in Frankfurt, the Netherlands, and a proposed site in Eastman Business Park, Rochester, New York, designed to establish a cohesive global circular supply chain for textiles.

Reju’s commitment is further supported by its strategic collaboration with IBM Research, enabling the company to develop innovative techniques for recovering, regenerating, and circulating textile waste, primarily focusing on polyester. These efforts are crucial as they contribute to creating a sustainable textile ecosystem, which aligns with both environmental regulations and evolving consumer expectations.

With the development of this new hub in France, Reju is poised to make an impactful stride towards reinventing the textile landscape, setting an example for other nations and industries. As the global demand for sustainable practices continues to rise, Reju’s initiatives reflect a forward-thinking approach that prioritizes sustainability while simultaneously promoting economic opportunity in local communities.

Reju invites stakeholders and communities to join them in reshaping the future of textiles through innovation and responsible practices. By employing cutting-edge technology and adhering to sustainable practices, Reju is not just recycling materials; it is also recycling the future of fashion and textiles.