#Recycled Fibers

2025-12-02

CARBIOS and Wankai sign strategic PET biorecycling pact

First industrial-scale plant in China set for commissioning in 2027

© 2025 Carbios active production line in Clermont-Ferrand France

CARBIOS (Euronext Growth Paris: ALCRB) and Wankai New Materials (“Wankai”), a listed subsidiary of Zhink Group, the 3rd largest PET producer in China and 4th worldwide, announce the signing of the definitive agreement establishing a strategic partnership for the industrial rollout of CARBIOS’s PET biorecycling technology in Asia. The first milestone will be the construction of a PET biorecycling plant in China.

The newly signed shareholders’ agreement confirms the creation of a joint venture dedicated to building and operating the first plant, which will process 50,000 tons of PET waste annually. Wankai will hold 70% of the venture, with CARBIOS retaining 30%. The €115 million investment will be financed 30% through equity and 70% through debt, fully guaranteed by Wankai.

The plant will be located in Haining (Zhejiang province) on a site provided by Wankai, already equipped with necessary infrastructure to reduce capital costs. Construction is expected to begin in Q1 2026, with commissioning scheduled for Q1 2027. CARBIOS will grant the joint venture a license for its depolymerisation technology upon incorporation.

Beyond the first facility, CARBIOS and Wankai have committed to a long-term partnership aiming to develop multiple PET biorecycling plants across Asia. CARBIOS has agreed to license its PET technology exclusively to Wankai in the region for an initial three-year period, extendable based on additional capacity commitments.

To reinforce the strategic collaboration, Wankai will subscribe to a €5 million capital increase in CARBIOS S.A. by 2 June 2026. Subject to regulatory approval in China, this investment would allow Wankai to appoint a representative to CARBIOS’s Board of Directors.

“The signing of this agreement marks the achievement of a major strategic partnership with Zhink Group. We are taking a decisive step forward to accelerate the international deployment of our technology, a key innovation in the fight against plastic pollution. This is a major milestone in bringing our licensing model to life: together, we will help build a more sustainable future", says Vincent Kamel, CEO of CARBIOS.

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