The French biotech company specialising in the enzymatic recycling of plastic and textiles has partnered with Selenis, a leading supplier of high-quality specialty polyester solutions, to cooperate in the production of Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG).
PETG is a widely used packaging material in both the cosmetics and healthcare industries due to its exceptional clarity, and mechanical and chemical resistance.
By leveraging Carbios’ unique enzymatic depolymerization technology and Selenis’ expertise in polymerization, the companies aim to develop a premium, sustainable PETG material made from PET waste for the cosmetic and healthcare packaging sectors across Europe and the U.S.
Depolymerization and repolymerization
Carbios and Selenis’ partnership is the result of extensive pilot and industrial polymerization trials. The two-year collaboration between the two companies allowed to refine the quality of the end product.
Carbios’ enzymatic depolymerization solution breaks down all types of PET waste into PTA (purified terephthalic acid) and MEG (monoethylene glycol) monomers, which are then polymerized into PETG through Selenis’ advanced processes. The result is high-specialty biorecycled PETG grades meet the strict requirements of the cosmetic and healthcare sectors, where Selenis has a strong presence through its Selcare brand.
“Thanks to the purity of these monomers, PETG issued from biorecycling presents the exact same properties as virgin PETG, allowing for products packaged in thick, molded pots and lids to be protected and presented attractively,” said Carbios in a press release.
Thus, biorecycled PETG aligns with both consumer sustainability demands and stringent regulatory requirements of the cosmetic and pharmaceutical markets.
“This high-specialty, premium material meets demanding quality requirements whilst also contributing to the transition to more sustainable packaging materials. The partnership will open new markets for Carbios, notably the healthcare sector, as we continue our worldwide commercial deployment,” said Emmanuel Ladent, CEO, Carbios.
