Overview
CARBIOS is a pioneering French biotechnology company founded in 2011, specializing in enzyme-based processes for PET biorecycling and plastic biodegradation. The company has developed revolutionary enzymatic technology enabling recycling of PET plastic waste into virgin-quality materials without performance loss. CARBIOS is listed on Euronext Paris and represents a major breakthrough in circular economy solutions.
Core Technology: Enzymatic PET Recycling
- Enzyme Innovation: Uses engineered enzymes from naturally occurring bacteria, modified for enhanced PET degradation efficiency
- Depolymerization Process: Enzymes specifically cleave PET polymer chains into monomers
- Pure Monomer Recovery: Produces virgin-quality monomers for repolymerization without quality degradation
- 100% Recyclable Output: Enables production of 100% recycled, 100% recyclable PET products
Key Advantages
- Quality Preservation: Unlike mechanical recycling, enzymatic recycling maintains virgin material properties
- Universal Feedstock Compatibility: Processes all PET waste types including contaminated materials
- True Circular Economy: Enables infinite recycling cycles without performance loss
Industrial Operations
Demonstration Plant (Operational):
- Location: Clermont-Ferrand, France (Michelin Group site)
- Status: Operational since September 2021
- Capacity: Validates technical, environmental, and economic viability
Commercial Manufacturing Partnership with Indorama Ventures:
- Location: Longlaville, Meurthe-et-Moselle, France
- Capacity: 50,000 tonnes PET waste annually (~2 billion bottles or 300 million T-shirts)
- Status: World’s first biorecycling plant; construction timeline subject to funding
Applications
- Beverage Packaging: High-quality bottles and containers
- Textile and Apparel: Fibers for clothing and textiles
- Food Packaging: Food-contact grade applications
- Technical Uses: Industrial and specialized applications
Environmental Benefits
- Waste Valorization: Converts waste PET into high-value virgin materials
- Energy Efficiency: Lower temperatures than conventional chemical recycling
- Carbon Reduction: Significantly reduced emissions vs. virgin PET production
- Infinite Recycling: No material degradation through recycling cycles
Investment and Recognition
- Listed on Euronext Paris (ticker: CARB)
- Major strategic partnerships with leading global plastic manufacturers
- Recognition as breakthrough circular economy technology
Future Strategy
- Demonstrate technical and economic viability at commercial scale
- Potential geographic expansion across Europe and globally
- Technology licensing opportunities
- Market leadership in PET biorecycling
Last updated: 2026-02-14