The Global Enzymatic Depolymerization and Recycling Market was valued at USD 45 million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 183.46 million by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 16.90% during the forecast period (2023–2032). This exponential growth is driven by tightening environmental regulations, corporate net-zero commitments, and the urgent need for effective plastic waste management solutions across packaging, textiles and consumer goods industries.
As traditional mechanical recycling reaches its limitations, enzymatic processes emerge as the breakthrough technology enabling infinite recycling of PET, PEF, PE and other polymers. This analysis profiles the Top 10 Companies in the Enzymatic Depolymerization Industry—biotechnology innovators and industrial partners developing advanced enzyme solutions to address the global plastic waste crisis.
🔟 1. Carbios
Headquarters: Saint-Beauzire, France
Key Offering: Proprietary PET-Degrading Enzymes
French biotechnology firm Carbios has pioneered enzymatic PET recycling technology since 2011. Their engineered enzymes break down PET plastics into 100% pure monomers suitable for food-grade packaging, achieving circularity without quality loss.
Key Milestones:
- World’s first enzymatic PET recycling plant (2021)
- Strategic partnerships with L’Oréal, Nestlé, PepsiCo
- Industrial-scale plant under construction (2025 target)
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9️⃣ 2. Samsara Eco
Headquarters: Canberra, Australia
Key Offering: Infinity Recycling™ Technology
This Australian cleantech company develops enzymes capable of processing mixed textile and packaging waste, with particular focus on polyester and nylon. Their process yields virgin-quality materials suitable for closed-loop production.
Key Milestones:
- Received AUD 54 million Series A funding (2022)
- Commercial partnership with Lululemon
- Expanding into North American and Asian markets
8️⃣ 3. Protein Evolution, Inc.
Headquarters: New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Key Offering: AI-Designed Enzymatic Recycling
Using artificial intelligence to engineer novel enzymes, Protein Evolution specializes in textile-to-textile recycling of polyester fabrics without requiring pre-sorting or extensive washing of input materials.
Key Milestones:
- Partnership with fashion brand Stella McCartney
- Backed by climate-focused investors
- Developing enzymes for colored/mixed polyester
7️⃣ 4. Epoch Biodesign
Headquarters: London, UK
Key Offering: Machine Learning Enzyme Platform
Epoch Biodesign applies computational biology and AI to develop enzymes capable of breaking down complex plastic blends that resist conventional recycling methods. Their technology targets the most problematic waste streams.
Key Milestones:
- Received UK government innovation grants
- Raised $11M in seed funding (2022)
- Developing multi-polymer degrading enzymes
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Enzymatic Depolymerization and Recycling Market – View in Detailed Research Report
6️⃣ 5. Yuantian Biotechnology
Headquarters: Shanghai, China
Key Offering: PET Hydrolase Enzymes
As China’s enzymatic recycling leader, Yuantian provides enzyme cocktails for PET degradation to domestic packaging producers and textile manufacturers, with special expertise in handling colored PET waste.
Key Milestones:
- Integrated production and recycling facilities
- Partnerships with major Chinese FMCG brands
- Pilot plant processing 5,000 tons/year
5️⃣ 6. Birch Biosciences
Headquarters: Portland, Oregon, USA
Key Offering: Directed Enzyme Evolution
Birch Biosciences employs advanced directed evolution techniques to create enzymes capable of degrading various plastics, with initial commercialization focused on polyester textiles from the fashion industry.
Key Milestones:
- DOE-funded research projects
- Closed-loop textile recycling platform
- Partnering with fast fashion brands
4️⃣ 7. Enzymity
Headquarters: Tallinn, Estonia
Key Offering: Low-Temperature Enzymatic Solutions
Enzymity develops bio-catalytic systems operating at moderate temperatures, reducing energy requirements for PET and polyester recycling compared to conventional processes.
Key Milestones:
- EU Horizon 2020 participant
- Scalable enzyme production technology
- Nordic recycling collaborations
3️⃣ 8. Plasticentropy
Headquarters: Manchester, UK
Key Offering: Modular Recycling Units
This UK startup combines enzymatic processes with novel engineering to create compact, decentralized recycling solutions for mixed plastic waste streams at contamination points.
Key Milestones:
- Award-winning cleantech innovations
- Pilot deployments at waste facilities
- Focus on community-level solutions
2️⃣ 9. Genecis
Headquarters: Toronto, Canada
Key Offering: Waste-to-PHA Bioconversion
Genecis has developed a hybrid process that first enzymatically breaks down PET waste which is then converted by bacteria into PHA bioplastics – creating higher value from plastic waste.
Key Milestones:
- Circular Economy Fund recipient
- Commercial-scale pilot operations
- Produces biodegradable PHA plastics
1️⃣ 10. Renewcell
Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden
Key Offering: Circulose® Recycled Fiber
Renewcell’s industrial-scale process uses enzymatic steps to break down cotton and viscose textiles into Circulose® pulp, enabling circular fashion production without virgin material input.
Key Milestones:
- Nasdaq Stockholm listed company
- 50,000 ton/year capacity in Sweden
- Partners include H&M and Levi’s
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Enzymatic Depolymerization and Recycling Market – View in Detailed Research Report
🌍 Market Outlook: The Enzyme Revolution in Plastics Recycling
Enzymatic depolymerization represents the next evolutionary step in plastic recycling, overcoming the limitations of mechanical methods by enabling:
📈 Key Industry Developments:
- Commercial scaling from pilot to industrial plants (2024-2027)
- Development of enzyme cocktails for mixed plastic streams
- Regulatory shifts favoring advanced recycling methods
- Brand commitments to incorporate enzymatically recycled content
Read Full Report:
Enzymatic Depolymerization and Recycling Market – View in Detailed Research Report
The companies profiled above are establishing the foundation for a circular plastics economy through biotechnology innovation, transforming waste into valuable feedstocks for perpetual reuse.
