#Recycling / Circular Economy

2025-06-12

DePoly wins SEF award for Deep Tech Innovation in PET Recycling

At the 2025 Swiss Economic Forum (SEF), held in Sion, Switzerland, advanced recycling company DePoly was awarded the top prize in the Deep Tech / Life Sciences category—further cementing its position as a key player in the circular materials space.

The SEF Awards are among Switzerland’s most prestigious recognitions for startups and scale-ups driving technological transformation. A high-level jury of business and scientific leaders evaluated companies on innovation, sustainability, scalability, and societal impact.

DePoly impressed the jury with its patented chemical recycling technology, capable of breaking down unsorted, contaminated PET plastic waste into virgin-quality monomers—Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) and Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG)—chemically identical to their fossil-based counterparts. This process enables true circularity by reintroducing PET waste into the value chain as high-quality feedstock.

“This recognition fuels our drive to push boundaries in plastic recycling and scale our global impact,” said Dr. Samantha Anderson, CEO and co-founder of DePoly. “Winning the SEF Award among such remarkable companies is a strong endorsement of our vision.”

From lab development to its showcase plant in Monthey, DePoly is demonstrating that its technology is not only scalable but also strategically positioned to support Europe’s transition to circular production models—an ambition highly relevant to the textile industry, where PET-based materials like polyester dominate.

The SEF accolade is expected to strengthen DePoly’s momentum in securing partnerships, expanding into European markets, and attracting further investment.

Also recognized in the Deep Tech / Life Sciences category were Synendos Therapeutics AG and Artiria Medical, noted for their outstanding contributions to medical innovation.

Odlo and DePoly “Close the loop” on Polyester with InnoBooster project

Odlo, the Swiss-based performance apparel brand, together with DePoly, the award-winning chemical recycling pioneer, has successfully completed an InnoBooster-funded innovation project. By turning production cut-offs from Odlo’s base layer factory into virgin-quality recycled polyester fabric, the partners have taken an important step towards closing the loop on one of the most widely used materials in the textile industry.

Circulose restarts commercial-scale production at Ortviken plant in Sundsvall

Circulose today announced the restart of its commercial-scale production plant at Ortviken in Sundsvall, Sweden, marking a significant step in scaling next-generation materials for the global fashion industry. The company plans to resume production of CIRCULOSE®, a recycled pulp made entirely from discarded cotton textiles, in the fourth quarter of 2026.

VIATT 2026 to debut German Pavilion, strengthening European participation alongside key Asian textile hubs

Vietnam’s textile and garment sector continues to be a major contributor to the country’s economic growth, with export revenues expected to reach USD 46 billion in 2025, a 5.6% increase from 2024 . From 26 – 28 February, the Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) is set to contribute to economic growth opportunities by accelerating digital transformation and green transition across the entire textile value chain. The upcoming edition will respond to the rising demand for advanced technologies and sustainable materials with the introduction of the German Pavilion, alongside strong exhibitor participation from key Asian sectors, as well as several high-profile fringe events.

Sustainable, lightweight, and sound absorbing: Polyester-based front trunk solution for BEVs

As car manufacturers look to further reduce their carbon footprint, Autoneum has developed an innovative front trunk solution for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), made entirely from polyester-based textile. The Ultra-Silent Frunk offers significant weight reduction, improved acoustic and thermal insulation, and uses up to 70 percent recycled material, supporting sustainable and efficient vehicle design. Autoneum, global technology leader in acoustic and thermal management for vehicles, has already received orders for the new frunk from three major OEMs in Asia and Europe to be built in three BEV models. Series production for two BEVs has been underway in China and Germany since last year.

Modern testing methods for raw cotton

The 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen will take place from 25 to 27 March 2026 at the Bremen Parliament. This conference has traditionally stood for in-depth expertise and international exchange. The program will focus on technical innovations, market trends, and regulatory frameworks across the entire value chain – from agriculture to the circular economy. With high-profile speakers, the conference is regarded as the key meeting point for the global cotton industry. Today’s focus: Cotton quality and testing methods.