French biotech firm Carbios has teamed up with Belgian construction company De Smet Engineers & Contractors to build a pioneering PET recycling plant.
The duo will create the facility in Longlaville close to the France-Luxumbourg border.
With a processing capacity of 50,000 tonnes per year, the plant will process post-consumer PET waste such as coloured bottles, food trays and textiles.
It is designed as an industrial-scale solution for enzymatic depolymerization and is claimed to be the world’s first biorecycling plant for the material it will handle.
Carbios obtained the building and site operating permits in October 2023 and officially acquired the land this week.
De Smet will deliver project management as well as detailed engineering including procurement assistance.
Emmanuel Ladent, chief executive officer at Carbios, said: “De Smet was selected after a comprehensive bidding process, and we are very confident in our successful cooperation.
“With our combined expertise and shared ambition, this collaboration marks a significant step towards fulfilling Carbios’ vision of a sustainable future for plastic and textiles.”
