The French biotech company Carbios and FCC Environment UK are investigating the possibility of establishing a factory in the UK that would make use of Carbios’ PET biorecycling technology. The firms have inked a letter of intent (LOI) to collaboratively investigate the application of Carbios’ enzymatic depolymerization technology in the UK market. This technique breaks down PET into its constituent parts to produce goods that resemble virgin materials.
Emmanuel Ladent, CEO of Carbios, stated, “For Carbios, partnering with FCC means access to feedstock at the source through its established collection systems, enhancing the efficiency and impact of our sustainable waste solution.” “I have no doubt that the convergence of our complementary fields of expertise will be advantageous to both of our businesses and the advancement of the circular economy.”
Recycling rates have stabilized, despite the UK government’s efforts to promote a circular economy. Both businesses stressed that in order to bring about long-lasting environmental change, innovation and investment are required.FCC Environment UK is keen to learn more about the benefits of employing enzymes to treat PET that is difficult to recycle and is searching for evidence-based insights into the depolymerization process. This method promises improved polymer circularity back into PET production lines and reduced energy use.
According to Steve Longdon, CEO of FCC Environment UK, “we need to think creatively about how we recover the value in materials that society no longer wants in order to deliver on the challenges set out in the Environment Act.”We are eager to investigate further with Carbios how this technology might benefit the UK circular economy and where it fits into the waste hierarchy in the country based on solid evidence.”
