A new vision for PET recycling
ReNova ChemPET is an industrial project dedicated to the development of one of Europe’s first industrial-scale chemical recycling initiatives for PET and polyester.
Based on the ChemPET technology developed by Saipem and Garbo, the project aims to transform complex plastic and textile waste into high-purity monomer, contributing to the transition towards a circular, zero-emissions economy.
Funded by the European Union’s Innovation Fund, ReNova ChemPET combines technological innovation, environmental sustainability, and industrial development to accelerate the recovery of waste materials and reduce emissions associated with the PET value chain.
ReNova ChemPET has been selected by the European Commission among the projects identified to receive funding under the EU Innovation Fund 2024 call for Net-Zero technologies mid-scale projects.
The project partners
An ecosystem of industrial, technological, and institutional expertise contributing to the development and implementation of the ReNova ChemPET project.
The project partners
An ecosystem of industrial, technological, and institutional expertise contributing to the development and implementation of the ReNova ChemPET project.
The Technology
ReNova ChemPET is based on ChemPET technology, an advanced chemical recycling solution developed to transform PET and polyester waste, including complex and contaminated textile materials, into a high-purity monomer that can be reused in the production of new materials. The process uses chemical depolymerisation, a technology that makes it possible to “break down” PET into its original components, overcoming the limits of traditional mechanical recycling and enabling the production of “virgin-like” PET/polyester, equivalent to virgin material.
ChemPET technology also expands the range of materials that can be processed, including coloured and contaminated plastics as well as textile waste, contributing to the development of circular economy models applied to the plastic and textile value chains.
The project involves the construction of one of the first industrial plants in Europe capable of chemically recycling PET from both packaging and the textile sector, with the aim of recovering materials that are currently mainly destined for incineration or landfill.
Project Timeline
- 2024-2025 Funding application and selection process
Preparation and submission of the funding application, followed by evaluation and selection by the relevant authorities.
- 2026-2027 Planning and financial close
Project definition, preliminary engineering, permitting, feedstock supply strategies, and financial closing.
- 2027-2028 Detailed engineering
Development of the plant’s technical design and preparation of construction activities.
- 2028-2029 Plant construction
Construction of the industrial plant, procurement, commissioning e start-up.
- From 2029 Operations and monitoring
Plant start-up and monitoring of environmental performance and emission reduction.