Samsara Eco opens first plant to scale circular plastics

Australian biotech company Samsara Eco has opened its first recycling plant in Jerrabomberra, marking a step forward in tackling plastic waste. The facility uses EosEco, the company’s enzymatic technology, to break down mixed plastics and turn them into virgin-quality materials such as nylon 6,6 and polyester.

These recycled materials will be used in upcoming collections for brands including lululemon, as well as pilot programs in packaging and automotive sectors. The site also expands Samsara Eco’s enzyme production and research capabilities, with projects underway to develop solutions for hard-to-recycle plastics like spandex in collaboration with The LYCRA Company and Deakin University.

Currently, only 10% of plastics and less than 1% of textiles are recycled worldwide. Samsara Eco aims to increase these numbers by creating a system where materials can be reused indefinitely.

The Jerrabomberra facility also lays the groundwork for a larger 20,000-tonne commercial plant in Asia, planned for 2028, as part of a wider network of recycling sites.