#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.

The textile industry in transition

Recycling, traceability, eco-design and digitalisation are among the key future challenges facing the European textile industry. The Erasmus+ project Skills4Circularity, involving 21 partners from twelve countries, is investigating the skills required to address these challenges. As the German industry partner, the Industry Association for Finishing – Yarns – Fabrics – Technical Textiles (IVGT) is bringing the industry’s perspective to the project.

"We will become a recycling powerhouse"

The textile industry is now in its fourth consecutive year of crisis, while automation, artificial intelligence and recycling are reshaping the rules of the game. In this interview, Rieter CEO Thomas Oetterli discusses the first signs of a market recovery, reflects on his first three years at the helm of the company, explains the integration of Barmag, outlines Rieter’s vision of the fully automated spinning mill and highlights the strategic importance of recycling. In doing so, he explains why the new Rieter Group aims to play a leading role in transforming the textile value chain into a circular economy.

Countdown to Textiles Recycling Expo 2026: Brussels prepares for Europe’s textile recycling gathering

With only two weeks remaining until the start of the second edition of the Textiles Recycling Expo 2026, preparations are entering the final phase. The exhibition and conference, dedicated exclusively to textile recycling and circularity, will take place on 24–25 June 2026 at Brussels Expo and is expected to attract stakeholders from across the textile recycling value chain.

Indorama Ventures enables brands to scale circular textiles through proven, traceable supply chains

Indorama Ventures, a global leader in recycled polyester staple fibers and filament yarns, will exhibit at Textiles Recycling Expo in Brussels on June 24–25. At the event, the company will show how brands and textile manufacturers can build traceable, circular textile supply chains by working with proven partners who deliver recycled materials on an industrial scale.

MEL Composites supports ELA Aviation with advanced composite materials

MEL Composites is supplying advanced composite materials and process consumables to ELA Aviation for the production of its next-generation gyroplanes. The collaboration underlines MEL Composites’ growing role in advanced aerospace mobility, providing lightweight materials designed to improve aircraft performance, manufacturing efficiency and structural reliability.

Yarns and technologies in symbiosis: Biella Yarn presents Fall/Winter 2027/2028 collection “New Romance_”

Biella Yarn, the flat knitting brand of Suedwolle Group, launches new Fall/Winter 2027/2028 collection, inspired by the symbiosis of yarns and technologies – elements that blend, adapt and evolve together, forming something new without losing their origin. The name “Neu Romance_” reflects the emotional and neurological dimension of the yarns: a connection that engages the senses, experienced through material, touch and interaction. The collection is further brought to life through design collaborations, featuring selected yarns used in different design approaches.

Bremen Cotton Exchange: Fritz A. Grobien re-elected as President

The members of the Bremen Cotton Exchange have re-elected Fritz A. Grobien as President during the association’s 152nd General Assembly on June 18, 2026. The election confirms the organization’s commitment to maintaining its role as a leading international platform for the cotton and fiber industry amid a period of geopolitical and economic uncertainty.