Carbios, a pioneer in the development and industrialization of bio-based technologies to reinvent the life cycle of plastics and textiles, and Selenis, a leading supplier of high-quality specialized polyester solutions, have signed a letter of intent to cooperate in the production of sustainable PETG (Polyethylene terephthalate glycol) from PET waste for the cosmetics packaging and healthcare sectors in Europe and the USA.
Thanks to its transparency and mechanical and chemical resistance, PETG is a popular packaging material in the cosmetics and healthcare industries.
Carbios' enzymatic depolymerization solution breaks down all types of PET waste into PTA (purified terephthalic acid) and MEG (monoethylene glycol) monomers, which are then converted into PETG using Selenis' advanced polymerization processes. Thanks to the purity of these monomers, biorecycled PETG has exactly the same properties as virgin PETG, enabling products packaged in thick, molded jars and lids to be protected and attractively presented.
This partnership is the result of several pilot and industrial-scale polymerization trials which have enabled us to refine the quality of the final product. The result is highly specialized PETG grades derived from biorecycling that meet the stringent requirements of the cosmetics and healthcare sectors, where Selenis has a strong presence thanks to its Selcare brand.
"Carbios and Selenis have a long-standing collaboration, and we are pleased to build on this relationship to produce PETG from Carbios' unique biorecycling technology. This high-end, highly specialized material meets high quality requirements while contributing to the transition to more sustainable packaging materials. This partnership will open up new markets for Carbios, particularly in the healthcare sector, as we continue our international commercial roll-out".says Carbios Managing Director Emmanuel Ladent.
"This collaboration marks an exciting step forward in our mission to promote sustainability in the polymerization industry. By combining our 65 years of expertise with Carbios' pioneering biorecycling technology, which guarantees high-quality monomers for the production of virgin-identical PETG, we are making progress in the development of sustainable materials to meet the growing demand for environmentally-friendly solutions in the cosmetics and healthcare sectors. Together, we have the potential to rethink the future of sustainable plastics".says Eduardo Santos, Head of Corporate Strategy at Selenis.
Photo: left: MEG from Carbios' PET biorecycling process; right: PTA from Carbios' PET biorecycling process.
