The proposed plant in the Gia Lai province, Vietnam, is intended to recycle polyester from used textiles and industrial waste into new recycled polyester material. Polyester is one of the world’s most widely used fibers and is traditionally produced from fossil-based sources. Recycling polyester helps reduce reliance on virgin fossil inputs, lowers climate impact and keeps valuable materials in circulation, supporting the transition toward a more circular textile industry.

Under the MoU, ABB and Syre will assess how ABB’s technologies – including its distributed control systems, digital industrial software and electrification portfolio – could be adapted to meet the specific requirements of polyester textile-to-textile recycling. Activities are expected to run in parallel with the detailed engineering phase of Syre’s first plant.

“This agreement reflects ABB’s role in supporting emerging industrial applications where automation and electrification can enable greater resource efficiency,” said Wilson Monteiro, Global Business Line Manager for Pulp, Paper and Fiber in ABB’s Process Industries division. “Together with Syre, we will explore how our experience in fiber processing, chemicals and advanced process industries can be applied to polyester recycling. We’re excited to discover what’s possible as we embark on this new technological collaboration.”

“As we now move into full industrial deployment, partnerships like this become critical,” said Dennis Nobelius, CEO of Syre. “Industrializing textile-to-textile recycling is a complex undertaking, and while strong customer demand is essential, it must be matched with best-in-class industrial partners. ABB brings exactly the depth of expertise and execution capability needed; they are a cornerstone of the industrial ecosystem we are building.”

Since its public launch two years ago, Syre has rapidly built its technological foundation, establishing an R&D facility and pilot production line in Mebane, North Carolina. In 2025, the company accelerated to multi-ton production of circular PET chips, demonstrating the viability of its textile-to-textile recycling process. Syre is now focused on advancing plans for its first large-scale production facility in Vietnam, with construction targeted to commence in 2027.

While exploratory in nature, the partnership signals ABB’s dedication to advancing the next generation of fiber-based industries. As circular materials move from ambition to industrial reality, ABB continues to apply its automation, electrification and digital expertise to enable efficient, scalable production.