#United States #Reju #Textile Recycling #Conshohocken

Reju Launches Its First U.S. Research and Development Center

Reju, a prominent player in textile-to-textile material regeneration, has officially opened its first research and development center in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. This new facility represents a strategic expansion in North America, allowing Reju to enhance its innovative recycling technologies and accelerate the commercialization of its advanced solutions.

Located within the Advanced Materials and Catalysts research center operated by Technip Energies, the new R&D center will play a critical role in advancing Reju's mission of transforming waste textiles back into reusable raw materials. This development aligns with Reju's commitment to fostering a closed-loop recycling system where discarded fabrics are regenerated into high-quality products.

Key Developments and Projects

The establishment of the R&D center signifies the relocation of Reju’s core research team from the Almaden Research Center of IBM, situated in San Jose, California. It is here that Reju developed its Volcat depolymerization technology, a groundbreaking catalytic chemical recycling process that breaks down polyester into recyclable components. Gregory Breyta, head of Reju's R&D department, expressed excitement about being part of such an innovative venture aimed at drastically improving textile recycling infrastructure on a large scale.

The Conshohocken facility will focus on a broad range of developmental activities, ranging from early-stage feasibility tests to kilogram-scale production. Emphasis will be placed on polyester recycling, solutions for blended fabrics, and innovative circular chemistry approaches, supporting rapid iteration and bolstering Reju's journey from idealized concepts to practical industrial applications.

Collaborating with Technip Energies

By establishing the R&D center in collaboration with Technip Energies’ existing infrastructure, Reju gains direct access to decades of expertise in catalysis, process development, technology integration, and industrial scaling. This partnership will enhance Reju's capabilities in developing and validating technologies that will be utilized at its future regeneration hubs.

The new R&D center is part of Reju’s larger strategy to create a comprehensive recycling cycle where old materials can be transformed back into valuable products. This center will contribute to an expanding global network of facilities, including Reju's first 'Textile-to-Textile' facility, Regeneration Hub Zero in Frankfurt, as well as future hubs planned in Sittard (Netherlands), Lacq (France), and Rochester, New York (USA). Breyta remarked that collectively, these facilities will establish a globally replicable circular infrastructure designed to convert today's textile waste into tomorrow's raw materials.

About Reju

Reju specializes in material regeneration, focusing on innovative solutions for recycling polyester textiles and PET waste from consumers. As a subsidiary of Technip Energies, Reju leverages technologies originally developed by IBM Research, aiming to unlock boundless possibilities from finite resources. The company strives to develop a global circular system for textile recycling, revitalizing polyester textiles and reintegrating them into the production cycle. More information can be found on Reju’s official website.

Technip Energies Overview

Technip Energies is a global technology and engineering company focused on key markets such as LNG, hydrogen, ethylene, sustainable chemistry, and CO2 management. The company aims to drive prosperity and sustainability through collaboration and excellent execution, with over 18,000 employees in 35 countries dedicated to creating a sustainable world. For the fiscal year 2025, Technip Energies reported a revenue of €7.2 billion and is listed on Euronext Paris. More on their activities can be found at Technip Energies.