#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.

Innovation center for textile circular economy inaugurated

Just over eight months after the foundation stone was laid, the new Innovation Center for Textile Circular Economy was officially inaugurated today at TITK Rudolstadt. Thuringia's Minister President Mario Voigt, TITK Director Benjamin Redlingshöfer, and other guests of honor cut the ribbon to the modern building complex and viewed the premises, which are now ready for occupancy. The “DICE – Demonstration and Innovation Center for Textile Circular Economy” is TITK's largest single investment to date. The Free State of Thuringia supported the total cost of €11.5 million with €8 million in GRW and FTI funding.

Waste2Fashion: FTTH Committed to advancing Circular Fashion in the Mediterranean

As an official partner of the Waste2Fashion project, the Tunisian Federation of Textile and Apparel (FTTH) participated in the Kick-off Meeting held on 10–11 December in Spain. The event brought together project partners from across the Mediterranean, including Spain, Italy, Egypt, Lebanon, and Tunisia, to align on a shared vision and initiate the first implementation steps.

Archroma and HeiQ partner to bring revolutionary antimicrobial and odor-control solutions to textile industry

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals towards sustainable solutions, and HeiQ, a Swiss deeptech materials innovator active in functional textiles and sustainable fibers, have entered into a co-marketing agreement that combines their complementary strengths to deliver advanced, planet-conscious anti-odor and antimicrobial technologies to brands, retailers, and textile mills worldwide.

Stability in volatile markets: Heimtextil 2026 launches with 3,000 exhibitors and design expertise from Patricia Urquiola

Heimtextil opens the new season with 3,000 exhibitors from 66 countries – maintaining stability while becoming even more international. The new hall layout increases visibility and connects supply and demand even more efficiently. At the opening, architect and designer Patricia Urquiola and Rosa Bertoli, Global Design Director of Wallpaper magazine, talk about AI, innovative materials and future-oriented design for modern living environments.