Syntetica's Nylon Recycling Technology Secures €4.2 Million Investment

Paris-based startup Syntetica, specializing in nylon recycling, has raised €4.2 million in seed funding to tackle pollution in the fashion industry. The funding round was led by EQT Ventures, with additional contributions from the family offices of Peugeot and ETAM, Volta Circle (the family office of Indorama Ventures’ shareholders), Better Angle, Pareto Holdings, Athletico Ventures, Bear Flag Capital, and notable angel investors such as two-time Formula-E champion Jean-Éric Vergne, IDEC Group CEO Patrice Lafargue, and former tennis player Paul-Henri Mathieu.

The fresh capital will be used by Syntetica to enhance their team's expertise with additional technical talent and to commence the production of fully recycled nylon materials for fashion and automotive clients. The goal is to reach a pre-industrial stage by mid-2026. Etam Group Chairman and CEO Laurent Milchior stated, “Decarbonisation and sustainability are at the top of our agenda, and in the fashion industry, this starts with textile manufacturing. Etam Group is working hard to reduce its supply chain’s environmental impact and to this end we are delighted to be partnering with Syntetica.”

Thomas Poitrineau, Director at EQT Ventures, shared his admiration for the founders, noting, “From the early days of our partnership, Marco’s and Louis’ technical expertise and entrepreneurial flare immediately impressed me. Their ambition to solve one of the most pressing and complex challenges facing clothing retailers today – it was clear we had a similar methodology for approaching climate issues.”

Sandra Malmberg, Partner at EQT Ventures, expressed her excitement about the partnership, adding, “I’m thrilled to welcome Syntetica to the portfolio and look forward to working alongside Thomas with the team there to help scale their offering and pave the way for a low-cost, low-carbon recycling solution the industry is in desperate need of.”

The fashion industry is a significant contributor to global pollution, accounting for 10% of carbon emissions worldwide. Nylon, which makes up about 7% of new textiles produced annually, is a major part of this issue, often ending up in landfills or incineration plants. The blend of nylon with other fibers such as cotton, elastane, and polyester enhances its utility in activewear, outdoor gear, hosiery, and high-performance textiles but complicates recycling efforts.

Syntetica's innovative depolymerization technique offers a promising solution to this problem. By breaking the chemical bonds that bind nylon and other fibers in blended textiles through a low-pressure, low-temperature chemical process, the various fibers can be separated and reintroduced into clothing manufacturing. This process is feedstock agnostic and utilizes off-the-shelf chemicals and existing lab infrastructure, making it highly scalable.

Once fully scaled, Syntetica aims to provide clothing retailers with a cost-effective, low-carbon solution to recycle and repurpose nylon and other materials in their supply chains, thereby reducing their environmental impact. Etam, a leading lingerie brand in France, is already collaborating with Syntetica to launch a capsule collection using materials recycled through Syntetica's process.

Marco Bertone, Co-Founder and CEO of Syntetica, commented on the company's mission, stating, “We founded Syntetica to deliver a practical solution to permanently close the loop in nylon recycling, meaningfully reducing retailers’ carbon emissions and preventing millions of tonnes of garments from being consigned to landfill. To have the backing of EQT Ventures, a leading climate tech investor, and a number of tier-one fashion retailers so early on in our journey is a huge endorsement of our technology.”

Syntetica's groundbreaking depolymerization technique addresses a significant source of pollution in the fashion industry. With substantial backing and innovative technology, Syntetica aims to revolutionize nylon recycling, paving the way for increased sustainability in both the fashion and automotive sectors.