DePoly to Launch 500-Tonne Plant to Give Plastics a New Purpose

DePoly is gearing up to launch a 500-tonne-per-year showcase plant in Monthey, Switzerland, this summer, taking a big step towards transforming the world of plastics recycling without relying on fossil fuels.

Every year, millions of tonnes of PET and polyester waste end up in landfills or are incinerated because we lack truly sustainable recycling options. DePoly, a pioneer in fossil-free PET-to-raw-material recycling, is stepping in to fill this void by ramping up its unique chemical process to an industrial scale.

This new facility represents a significant milestone in DePoly’s journey from lab-based innovation to practical application. It will showcase how mixed and colored PET waste—from things like polyester clothing and plastic bottles—can be turned into high-quality raw materials. These materials can then be reused across different industries, paving the way for a genuine circular economy for plastics.

“The upcoming showcase plant validates our roadmap to creating a truly circular plastics market. Following our pilot and showcase plant, our next goal is to scale our operations to industrial size with a first of a kind commercial plant based on our technology,” said Samantha Anderson, Co-founder & CEO of DePoly.

DePoly’s innovative technology has already made waves in the market, thanks to partnerships with major players in the fashion, cosmetics, and consumer goods sectors—like the textile brand Odlo and packaging pioneer PTI. These collaborations have showcased the effectiveness and purity of DePoly’s recycled monomers, which are being transformed into new bottles, high-performance textile fibers, and cosmetic packaging.

By providing monomers that match the quality of those sourced from fossil fuels, DePoly’s recycling process adheres to top-notch quality standards and presents a solid alternative to traditional virgin plastic feedstocks.

Scaling Towards Global Impact

With a clear vision for growth, DePoly is gearing up to establish a full-scale commercial plant by 2027, designed to handle much larger quantities of PET and polyester waste. This step will be crucial in lessening our reliance on fossil-based plastics and speeding up the shift towards a sustainable circular materials economy.

“DePoly's proven technology is a game changer addressing a crucial industrial and societal challenge. This raise and the showcase plant opening are advancing DePoly's position as a leader in plastics recycling,” said Alix Brunet, Europe Lead at MassMutual Ventures.

DePoly has successfully secured an impressive $23 million in seed funding to fuel its next growth phase, with MassMutual Ventures stepping in for the second close of this funding round. This latest boost brings the total capital raised by the company to over $30 million, positioning it as one of Europe’s top players in the plastics recycling technology sector.

The funding round also saw participation from notable investors such as Founderful, ACE & Company, Angel Invest, Zürcher Kantonalbank, BASF Venture Capital, Beiersdorf Venture Capital, and Syensqo.

David Hanf, who joined DePoly in 2024 as CFO, brings extensive experience from European scale-ups including Smava and Thermondo—Germany’s largest B2C heat service company. Both an entrepreneur and an executive, he adds: “We are convinced our technology is one of the fastest to scale and will allow us to compete with virgin pricing at scale, a key factor for success. We are happy to have expanded our investor base to the US with MassMutual Ventures as we want to build a global champion.”

Celebrated for its Innovation

DePoly has gained international acclaim for its pioneering efforts. It was recognized as a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum and clinched the 2024 Top 100 Swiss Startup Award, further establishing its reputation as a leader in sustainable innovation.

By turning discarded plastics into high-quality raw materials without relying on fossil fuels, DePoly is making strides in reducing environmental impact, minimizing waste, and paving the way for a future where yesterday’s plastic can be transformed into tomorrow’s solutions.

For more information, visit https://www.depoly.co