French biotech firm expands into industrial fabrics market through enzymatic PET recycling technology

French biotechnology company CARBIOS has signed a multi-year commercial agreement with Thailand's Indorama Ventures to supply recycled materials for tyre manufacturing, marking the firm's expansion into the industrial fabrics sector.

Under the deal, CARBIOS will provide biorecycled monomers from its planned Longlaville industrial plant to Indorama Ventures, the world's largest polyester producer. The Thai company will transform these materials into recycled polyethylene terephthalate (r-PET) filaments for use in tyre reinforcement by French tyre manufacturer Michelin.

The partnership represents CARBIOS's entry into a new market segment beyond its existing focus on cosmetic packaging applications. The company uses proprietary enzymatic recycling technology to break down complex PET waste into high-quality recycled materials.

"This commercial agreement with Indorama Ventures marks a new step in the realisation of our industrial project," said Vincent Kamel, chief executive of CARBIOS. "It confirms the trust of Indorama Ventures and Michelin in our PET biorecycling technology."

The deal comes weeks after CARBIOS signed its first sales contracts for biorecycled PET with two unnamed global cosmetics companies, as the firm builds momentum ahead of the commercial launch of its Longlaville facility.

Michelin, which has committed to using 100 percent renewable and recycled materials by 2050, said the partnership advances its circular economy objectives.

"This partnership is a tangible expression of our commitment to turning complex waste into high-performance materials," said Fabien Gaboriaud, director of circularity and renewable & recycled materials at Michelin Group. "By integrating enzymatically recycled r-PET into our tyres, we are marking a new milestone on our journey toward achieving 100 percent renewable and recycled materials by 2050."

Indorama Ventures, which generated $15.4 billion in revenue last year, said the alliance underscores its commitment to circular economy principles. The company employs approximately 25,000 people across manufacturing operations in Europe, Africa, the Americas, and Asia Pacific.

"This alliance with both, CARBIOS and Michelin, underlines our commitment to plan ahead and take a leading role in shifting the industry towards circularity," said Renato Boaventura, global market head mobility at Indorama Ventures.

CARBIOS, founded in 2011, has developed enzyme-based biological processes to break down plastics as part of efforts to prevent plastic pollution and accelerate the transition to a circular economy. The company operates an industrial demonstration plant for biorecycling that has been operational since 2021.

Construction of what the company describes as the world's first biorecycling plant is expected to resume in the second half of 2025, subject to securing additional funding.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Zeon Corporation and Visolis Inc. have formalised their partnership by signing a binding term sheet, marking a pivotal advancement in the commercialisation of bio-based isoprene monomer and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

This collaboration, which now moves from technology verification towards project implementation, is built upon the progress made since their initial memorandum of understanding in March 2024 and the subsequent joint feasibility study announced in April 2025. Bio-based isoprene monomer serves as an essential component in the production of synthetic rubbers and various other materials, while SAF is increasingly recognised as a critical next-generation fuel for reducing carbon emissions within the aviation industry.

The newly established term sheet outlines a foundational agreement on the key elements required for a final investment decision. These include defining the business structure and the respective roles of each company, establishing technology and development strategies and advancing detailed engineering for the proposed production facility. Furthermore, the agreement covers the evaluation of potential sites, the process for engaging with suppliers, securing necessary regulatory approvals and planning the financing pathway.

The envisioned facility is set to commence commercial-scale output after successfully demonstrating mass production capabilities for biomass-based isoprene and SAF, utilising Visolis’ proprietary technology. Both companies are now committed to expediting the path to full-scale production and ensuring a steady supply of these sustainable products to the global market.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Zeon Corporation has deepened its commitment to digital chemistry through a strategic investment and partnership with Chemify Limited, secured via its corporate venture arm Zeon Ventures Inc. Chemify, a growth-stage UK enterprise, is reshaping molecular research by integrating digital tools with automated laboratory systems. Its proprietary Chemputation technology translates molecular targets into executable chemical code, which operates directly on robotic platforms to complete integrated Design–Make–Test–Analyze cycles without manual intervention. This closed-loop automation allows Chemify to explore previously inaccessible areas of chemical space while reducing the timeline from concept to synthesized compound by up to tenfold.

A cornerstone of Chemify’s capability is its recently inaugurated Chemifarm in Glasgow – one of the most sophisticated automated facilities in the world for molecular design and construction. The facility enables accelerated iteration and autonomous synthesis of novel small molecules, converting chemical code into tangible compounds with unprecedented efficiency. These advances are critical for developing functional, synthesisable molecules that can contribute solutions to urgent global issues spanning public health, energy efficiency and environmental protection.

Zeon has been at the forefront of adopting digital methodologies in chemical R&D, recognising their transformative potential from an early stage. This investment is positioned to strengthen Zeon’s internal digital chemistry efforts and catalyse the invention of novel materials capable of addressing complex societal needs. The move aligns with Zeon’s STAGE30 corporate strategy, which targets a rise in revenue contribution from four key growth sectors – Mobility, Healthcare and Life Sciences, Telecommunications and Green Transformation – to 48 percent by fiscal 2028. By backing pioneering enterprises and cultivating advanced materials, Zeon continues to advance its dual vision of a sustainable planet and a secure, progressive society.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Rubber Board of India has announced the opening of an application window for financial aid for sulphur dusting to combat powdery mildew disease in rubber plantations for the year 2026. The scheme is open to all Rubber Producers’ Societies (RPS) operating in both traditional and non-traditional growing regions.

From 10 to 20 February 2026, eligible societies must submit their applications online through the 'ServicePlus' portal on the official Rubber Board website. Societies requiring help with the submission process are advised to contact their nearest Rubber Board regional office or field station, or to consult the board's website for further guidance.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Pyrum Innovations AG has welcomed the official recognition by French authorities on 17 January 2026, which classifies tyre pyrolysis oil (TPO) as a legitimate raw material for the chemical sector. This pivotal regulatory milestone for pyrolysis oil derived from end-of-life tyres substantially enhances the product’s integration into established chemical value chains. It also provides greater predictability for future purchase and partnership frameworks, thereby accelerating the development of industrial material cycles.

For Pyrum, which processes scrap tyres through pyrolysis to recover pyrolysis oil, industrial carbon black and steel, this decision underscores the critical need for standardised and reliable regulatory conditions. Such clarity is fundamental for scaling investments, production volumes and supply chains, particularly as the chemical industry and circular economy converge. The establishment of clear product categories is essential to ramp up the market for high-quality recycled raw materials.

The company remains committed to tracking further developments in France and the wider European dialogue regarding the classification and application of recycled feedstocks. Pyrum’s overarching objective is to expand industrial-scale recycling solutions for scrap tyres. This regulatory progress directly supports the company’s mission to secure long-term, quality-assured supply agreements with partners across the chemical industry, thereby advancing a more sustainable and circular economic model.

Pascal Klein, CEO, Pyrum Innovations AG, said, “The decision in France is an important step for the industrial use of pyrolysis oil from waste tyres. It supports a trend that we are seeing in many markets, where the chemical industry is seeking reliable, technologically robust and clearly classified alternative raw materials.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!