Mega-trend: a push towards sustainability and circular economy
The global transition to a circular economy is causing significant changes in the plastic textile recycling market. As environmental concerns and regulatory pressures increase, industries are increasingly focusing on sustainable practices. One of the most significant challenges is the large amount of plastic waste generated by the textile industry. Synthetic fibers, such as polyester (PET) and nylon (polyamide), account for about 60% of the world’s textile materials, making plastic-based textiles a significant source of waste: in 2021, global fiber production hit a record of 113 million tons, with synthetic fibers accounting for 64% of this production. Despite the increasing demand for recycled textiles, less than 1% of global fiber production comes from post-consumer recycled materials, highlighting the urgency of innovative recycling technologies.
Globally, governments are supporting the process of change with stricter regulations, promoting extended producer responsibility (EPR), and incentivizing investment in recycling infrastructure. The European Union’s Circular Economy Action Plan and evolving regulatory frameworks in North America and Asia are creating an enabling environment for the expansion of textile recycling. At the same time, companies are under increasing pressure to reduce their carbon footprint and adopt more sustainable practices in response to growing consumer demand for environmentally friendly products.
Market sizing: the huge potential of the textile sector
The global plastic waste management market, which includes textile recycling, is set for significant growth. In particular, the recycled plastic textiles segment is booming, with the total available market (TAM) for enzymes used in textile recycling estimated at $5 billion. The potential usable market (SAM) could reach $1.25 billion, driven by increased recycling of plastic textiles, especially in Europe and North America. By 2030, the achievable market share for plastic fabric recycling could reach $125 million, assuming 10% penetration.
Historically, textile waste recycling has been made complex by the combination of mixed materials, particularly the blending of natural and synthetic fibers. However, recent advances in enzymatic recycling technologies are opening up new possibilities to overcome these challenges. One example is Evoralis, which has developed patented enzymes specifically for PET and nylon recycling, directly addressing the textile industry’s growing need to recycle polyester- and nylon-based materials.
Drivers and limitations: innovation and obstacles
Several key factors are driving the growth of plastic fabric recycling:
- Technological innovation: innovations such as Evoralis’ enzymatic solutions are revolutionizing plastic recycling. Indeed, traditional mechanical recycling techniques have limited capacity to handle mixed textile waste or contaminated materials. Enzymes provide a solution, as they selectively decompose different types of plastics under light conditions. Enzymatic recycling can efficiently handle complex mixtures of synthetic and natural fibers, which is critical for processing post-consumer textile waste.
- Environmental awareness: growing consumer awareness of the environmental impact of plastics and the rise of eco-conscious fashion are driving the demand for recycled fabrics. Indeed, sustainability is a key lever in an industry where image is a decisive factor in the success of the business: the fashion industry, particularly fast fashion brands, has therefore begun to invest in sustainable solutions. Evoralis’ partnerships with leading brands such as Inditex (Zara) and H&M highlights the industry’s commitment to adopting circular solutions.
The environmental impact of the textile industry is not only about plastic pollution, but also about carbon footprint. The nonprofit organization ©Textile Exchange has studied the actions needed to reduce the carbon footprint by 2030. As shown in the figure below, the industry recognizes the need to find new technologies to close the innovation gap and relies heavily on them, as evidenced by the many commitments and projects in this field promoted by major industry players:
- Regulatory support: government regulations promoting recycling, reducing plastic waste, and encouraging sustainable production methods are catalyzing the market. The European Union’s Green Deal, for example, promotes the use of recycled materials in textiles, while plastic waste disposal costs are steadily rising.
However, some challenges remain in the background:
- Cost and commercialization: despite the various promises, enzymatic solutions are still in the early stages of commercialization. High development costs, slow adoption of new recycling technologies, and long certification cycles are significant barriers to diffusion.
- Market readiness: the complexity of integrating recycling technologies into existing manufacturing infrastructure can slow the adoption. Many companies are hesitant to abandon established, more familiar and often less costly mechanical recycling processes.
Why Evoralis? The future of plastic fabric recycling
Evoralis is at the forefront of enzymatic recycling technology and offers an innovative solution to the problem of plastic textile waste. The company’s enzymatic screening platform is 1,000 times faster than conventional methods and enables the discovery and optimization of enzymes that degrade plastics. Their proprietary enzymes target polyester (PET) and nylon, the two most popular synthetic fibers in the textile industry and are designed to break down these plastics into their monomeric building blocks, making them suitable for reuse in high-quality products.
Thanks to solid partnerships with leading fashion brands and recycling companies, Evoralis is highly likely to gain a significant share of the textile recycling market. Its unique ability to develop tailor-made enzymes for specific textile blends provides a competitive advantage by addressing one of the industry’s most pressing challenges: recycling mixed fiber waste. In addition, Evoralis’ focus on environmentally friendly and energy-efficient recycling processes is in line with the global push for sustainability and reduced carbon emissions.
In conclusion, the plastic textile recycling market is bound to grow consistently, driven by regulatory pressures, environmental awareness and technological innovation. Evoralis’ enzymatic solutions offer a scalable and sustainable approach to addressing textile waste challenges and position the company as a leader in the circular economy. As industries move toward greener practices, companies like Evoralis are instrumental in shaping a more sustainable future for the textile industry.
