Infinite Loop PET and Polyester Depolymerization

Loop Industries is a clean technology company headquartered in Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada, that has spent about a decade developing a way to make PET plastic and polyester fibre from 100% recycled content. It targets waste that mechanical recycling cannot handle: worn garments and cutting scraps, coloured and opaque bottles, contaminated mixed PET and multi-layer trays.

The Infinite Loop process uses low-temperature methanolysis to break PET and polyester down to their monomers, DMT and MEG, purifies them to remove dyes, additives and other impurities, and repolymerises them into new polyester suitable for food-grade, pharmaceutical and cosmetic packaging as well as textiles. Loop earns revenue by licensing the technology, through joint ventures and from facilities it owns; its first licence was sold to Reed Societe Generale Group, and a joint venture with Ester Industries is building a 70,000-tonne plant in India. Buyers include apparel and consumer goods brands.

• Low-temperature methanolysis: depolymerises PET and polyester into DMT and MEG monomers.
• Purification: removes dyes, pigments, additives and other impurities at the molecular level.
• Repolymerisation: produces polyester resin and fibre from 100% recycled content.
• Broad feedstock: textiles, coloured and opaque bottles, mixed PET and multi-layer trays.
• Twist brand: high-performance recycled polyester resin for textile and apparel customers.
• Licensing model: technology licences and joint ventures for 70,000-tonne-scale facilities.

Polyester and PET producers in Vietnam can license the technology or form a joint venture to build a depolymerisation plant. Garment exporters can supply cutting waste as feedstock and buy back recycled fibre for brand programmes. Beverage and cosmetics companies can source recycled PET resin for food-contact and cosmetic packaging.

Low-value PET and textile waste that would be incinerated or landfilled becomes feedstock for virgin-quality polyester. Output is suitable for food-grade and pharmaceutical packaging, so brands can raise recycled content without quality loss. An independent Franklin & Associates life cycle assessment cited by the company reports up to 80% lower global warming potential and up to 91% lower non-renewable energy demand than virgin polyester. Licensing and joint ventures let partners build local plants.

Apparel and packaging brands have committed to recycled polyester and recycled content targets, while bottle-grade PET supply is limited and textile waste is rarely recycled. Asia hosts most polyester production, and Vietnam's large textile and garment export sector faces buyer demands for textile-to-textile recycled fibre and EPR obligations for packaging.

Headquartered in Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada. Partners include Ester Industries (India joint venture), Reed Societe Generale Group (first licence and European joint venture), Hyosung TNC and Shinkong (circular polyester alliances), Toyo (engineering) and Taro Plast (DMT offtake). Brand collaborations include Nike, On, Garnier and L'Occitane.