Reju is developing a global circular system to regenerate polyester textiles and PET waste using advanced depolymerization technology. CEO Patrik Frisk says the company plans large-scale recycling hubs and global partnerships to reduce textile waste and reliance on virgin materials.
ChemAnalyst Talks with Mr. Patrik Frisk, CEO Of Reju
Reju, a materials regeneration company focused on transforming polyester textiles and post-consumer PET waste, is building a circular system to enable continuous reuse of finite resources. Owned by Technip Energies and Technology developed with IBM, the company aims to establish a global ecosystem for regenerating and recirculating polyester at scale.
ChemAnalyst spoke with Patrik Frisk, CEO of Reju, about the company’s strategy to industrialize textile-to-textile recycling and address the growing challenge of post-consumer waste. Drawing on his extensive leadership experience, Frisk emphasized the need to move beyond pilot initiatives toward large-scale regeneration hubs supported by robust upstream infrastructure for waste aggregation and sorting. He highlighted Reju’s advanced depolymerization technology, which enables polyester to be broken down to its molecular level and rebuilt repeatedly without loss of quality, offering a significant advantage over conventional recycling methods. Looking ahead, the company plans to expand its global footprint across North America and Europe, strengthen partnerships across the textile value chain, and support brands in building more resilient, nearshore supply models while advancing circularity and reducing dependence on virgin fossil-based materials.
Complete Interview with Mr. Patrik Frisk
Q: Reju talks about building a world where textile waste doesn’t exist. What was the moment when you realized this vision needed to be built at industrial scale—and not just as a pilot?
Patrik Frisk: The realization came at a very specific point in my career. Around 2015–2016, while serving as CEO of Aldo Group, I began to see a structural shift in the retail landscape. Growth, which had defined my 35-year career—whether through geographic expansion, retail footprint, or e-commerce—was slowing. Fewer shopping malls were being developed in North America, and the traditional growth model was reaching its limits. As I transitioned to roles with brands like Under Armour, The North Face, Vans, and Reef, I became increasingly aware of the scale of waste generated by the industry. Large organizations inevitably produce inefficiencies, and with scale comes a proportional increase in waste. This growing awareness, starting in 2016 and intensifying over time, made it clear that incremental or pilot solutions would not suffice. The magnitude of the problem demanded industrial-scale intervention, which ultimately led me to join Reju.
Q: Why was Rochester, New York chosen for Reju’s first U.S. industrial-sized Regeneration Hub, and what makes this site strategically important for your global expansion?
Patrik Frisk: Our site selection process was highly rigorous, involving evaluation of nearly 30 locations. The key factor was proximity to post-consumer textile waste, which is significantly concentrated in North America and Europe.
Equally important was infrastructure. We required a location with strong industrial capabilities—access to energy, water, transportation networks, and chemical processing ecosystems. Rochester stood out due to the Eastman Business Park, a 1,200-acre industrial hub with a legacy rooted in Eastman Kodak Company.
The combination of waste availability, infrastructure readiness, and scalability made Rochester an ideal choice for establishing our first U.S. Regeneration Hub.
Q: The Rochester hub aims to regenerate the equivalent of 300 million garments annually. What does that scale mean in real terms for reducing textile waste in North America?
Patrik Frisk: While 300 million garments may seem substantial, it represents only a fraction of the global textile waste problem. However, its significance lies in being a starting point.
At this scale, we expect to produce approximately 38–39 kilotons of polyester annually. In comparison to the global polyester production of 75–80 million tons per year, this is modest. Yet, the true impact lies in building the foundational infrastructure—collection, sorting, and processing systems—that will enable scaling in the future.
This initiative is not just about recycling garments; it is about establishing a fully integrated ecosystem for textile regeneration.
Q: So what is the market size like? If we talk about market potential over the next five years, what numbers are we looking at?
Patrik Frisk: Currently, around 12% of global polyester fiber production—approximately 8 million tons—comes from recycled PET bottles. However, this approach is not sustainable long-term, as demand for polyester continues to grow.
We estimate that textile-to-textile recycling could reach a market potential of approximately 11 million tons within the next decade. Even if all current players achieve their projected capacities, total output would still fall short of this demand.
This gap highlights a significant growth opportunity for advanced recycling solutions like ours.
Q: Reju’s recycling technology is co-developed with Technip Energies and IBM Research. What differentiates this technology from other textile recycling approaches currently in the market?
Patrik Frisk: Our technology is built on proven chemistry rather than experimental processes. In collaboration with Technip Energies and IBM Research, we focus on depolymerization—breaking polyester down to its molecule monomer and rebuilding it.
What sets us apart is our ability to process mixed textile waste efficiently at scale. We optimize for three critical factors: speed, energy efficiency, and yield.
Additionally, our process can handle complex material blends—such as polyester-cotton mixtures—while maintaining high output quality. This scalability and consistency are key differentiators in the market.
Q: Many companies talk about circular fashion, but few achieve it at scale. What were the biggest barriers, and how is Reju overcoming them?
Patrik Frisk: The primary challenge lies in the lack of an integrated system. The journey from textile waste collection to regeneration and reintegration into supply chains remains fragmented.
Reju addresses this by connecting every stage—aggregation, sorting, processing, and reintegration. We are effectively building an entirely new value chain.
Additionally, circularity presents an opportunity to rethink business models. By enabling nearshoring and reducing lead times, brands can minimize overproduction, improve inventory management, and enhance profitability.
Q: Sustainability is important, but performance remains critical. How does Reju Polyester ensure durability, consistency, and quality?
Patrik Frisk: Performance is non-negotiable. Our advantage lies in our deep expertise in polymerization. By breaking down and rebuilding polyester at the molecular level, we achieve consistent, high-quality output.
Unlike traditional “virgin” polyester—which varies depending on its source—our product is manufactured to precise specifications. This ensures superior consistency, durability, and performance across applications.
Q: Reju Polyester can be recycled multiple times. How critical is this feature for reducing dependence on fossil-based raw materials?
Patrik Frisk: Polyester is fundamentally derived from oil, a finite resource. By enabling repeated recycling through molecular regeneration, we reduce reliance on virgin fossil inputs.
This capability also enhances supply chain resilience, allowing brands to diversify raw material sources and mitigate risks associated with resource scarcity and price volatility.
Q: How does Reju help brands navigate geopolitical uncertainty and supply chain disruptions?
Patrik Frisk: Our model supports regional production ecosystems. Once textile waste is converted into polyester, it becomes significantly easier to transport and integrate into local manufacturing.
This enables nearshoring and regional supply chains, which enhance resilience. It also supports critical industries beyond apparel, including automotive, medical textiles, and industrial applications.
Q: Reju already operates Regeneration Hub Zero in Frankfurt and has selected sites in the Netherlands and France. What key lessons from Europe are shaping your U.S. strategy?
Patrik Frisk: Our European experience has underscored the importance of upstream infrastructure. Building reliable systems for waste collection, sorting, and preparation is essential.
Countries like the Netherlands—with strong circular economy policies—offer ideal environments. Similarly, locations in France provide strategic logistical advantages.
We have collaborated with over 135 organizations in Europe to establish this ecosystem, and we are applying these learnings to the U.S. market.
Q: Reju PET is positioned as a true alternative to virgin PET. What benchmarks did it need to meet?
Patrik Frisk: We focus on both input and output quality. By purifying intermediates like BHET, we start with a cleaner base than traditional processes.
This allows us to produce polyester with consistent, high-quality specifications—ensuring reliability and performance comparable to, or better than, conventional materials.
Q: Recycled PET often suffers from downcycling. How does Reju address this?
Patrik Frisk: Traditional recycling degrades material quality over time. Our approach differs by restoring the polymer to its molecular state.
This enables repeated recycling without loss of quality, effectively creating a closed-loop system.
Q: How do you see demand for man-made fibers evolving, and which segments are most ready for circular materials?
Patrik Frisk: Adoption will occur in phases. Public procurement sectors—such as uniforms and hospitality textiles—are likely to lead due to structured usage cycles.
Over time, broader segments including apparel and technical textiles will follow as infrastructure and capacity scale.
