Selenis Unveils High-Quality rPET from CIRC's Recycled Terephthalic Acid

Selenis has effectively manufactured recycled PET chips using terephthalic acid sourced from Circ®, a textile-to-textile recycler based in Virginia. The chip production took place through a series of batches at Selenis' pilot plant in San-Giorgio, Italy. By utilizing inputs recovered from polycotton textile waste, Selenis has created high-quality PET chip, which has been further processed into DTY yarn. This yarn will play a crucial role in product development as Circ prepares for additional capsule launches. Selenis is leveraging the success of this initial collaboration phase and is committed to advancing towards an offtake partnership to support Circ's inaugural industrial facility.

Eduardo Santos, Head of Corporate Strategy at Selenis, remarked that the monomer synthesis showed a performance comparable to virgin terephthalic acid. He expressed optimism about the consistent quality of Circ's monomer output and anticipated future commercial success. Santos pointed out that the Circ partnership complements Selenis's existing mission and goals for a more sustainable textile industry. He further stated their anticipation of expanding upon this collaboration and providing support for Circ's forthcoming commercial production trials.

With a rich heritage from IMG Group, Selenis focuses on creating sustainable and technologically advanced polyester materials. They leverage their expertise in polymers and processing to collaborate with customers on eco-friendly products. Partnering with Circ allows Selenis to take a significant step towards their sustainability goals. By utilizing Circ's recovered terephthalic acid (PTA) and bio-based monoethylene glycol (Bio-MEG), Selenis is developing products that close the loop on plastic waste. This not only reduces their carbon footprint but also conserves resources by creating a circular economy where plastic waste becomes the raw material for new, high-quality products.

Kaushik Vashee, SVP of Manufacturing at Circ, stated that through collaboration with Selenis' strategic and pilot plant manufacturing teams, they showcased the quality of Circ monomers. Vashee highlighted that the performance of Circ monomers as a direct substitute for virgin monomers in synthesizing rPET from blended textile waste was confirmed. He further emphasized the pivotal role played by Selenis teams' dedication in bringing about the pilot trials, which has been crucial in demonstrating the value of their recycled monomers.

Circ is revolutionizing textile recycling by tackling the previously insurmountable challenge of blended fabrics, particularly polycotton. Every year, millions of tons of this versatile material end up in landfills or incinerators because traditional methods struggle to separate the natural fibers (cellulose) from the synthetic ones (plastic) for individual recycling. Circ's groundbreaking technology stands alone in its ability to effectively break down polycotton waste and recover high-quality fibers from both components. As they usher in this transformative era, Circ is actively seeking partnerships with forward-thinking companies. Ideal collaborators will not only share Circ's commitment to exceptional product quality but also actively contribute to their sustainable mission.