Australian start-up Samsara Eco has signed a 10-year offtake agreement with global athletic apparel brand Lululemon to supply chemically recycled nylon 66 and polyester. The agreement builds on the companies' longstanding collaboration to advance circular material innovation in the textile industry.
In 2023, Samsara Eco launched the world’s first enzymatically recycled nylon 66, which Lululemon used to create samples of its Swiftly Tech Long-Sleeve Top. Following that, the companies collaborated again to produce a limited-edition Packable Anorak jacket using Samsara’s enzymatically recycled polyester. The newly inked agreement could see Samsara Eco’s materials comprising up to 20% of Lululemon’s overall fiber portfolio in the future.
Polyester and nylon are among the most widely used textile fibers, making up nearly 60% of the world’s total fiber production. Nylon 66, or polyamide 66, is particularly favored for its wear resistance and low friction properties, with around 4 million tonnes produced annually. However, recycling nylon 66 is complex due to its molecular structure, which requires breaking down two six-carbon atom monomers—a process that has traditionally been difficult to achieve.
Samsara Eco has developed a proprietary low-temperature depolymerization technology that employs enzymes optimized to break down nylon 66, polyester, and PET back into their original monomers. This enzymatic process uses a multidisciplinary approach that blends biology, chemistry, computer science, and biophysics to create plastic-eating enzymes capable of processing diverse, blended textile waste streams. These include materials like poly/cotton blends, nylon/elastane fabrics, carpet fibers, zip ties, and airbags.
Textile waste is a significant environmental concern, particularly synthetic materials that contribute to microplastic pollution. The European Union generates 12.6 million tonnes of textile waste annually and plans to mandate separate collection of textile waste starting in 2025. Additionally, by 2030, EU regulations will require a minimum percentage of recycled fibers in textiles.
Globally, polyester accounts for about 80% of the synthetic fiber market, with over 63 million tonnes produced annually. Yet, only 13% of textile waste is recycled, and a mere 1% is recycled fiber-to-fiber.
“Our expanded partnership with Lululemon represents a strong step forward to help create a fully circular ecosystem and further highlights the industry’s commitment to transition to more circular materials,” said Paul Riley, CEO of Samsara Eco. “The technology to make circular materials is not a pipe dream—it is here, ready for adoption by forward-thinking companies.”
The plastics and textile industries are increasingly moving toward circular solutions. The Alliance of Chemical Textile Recycling (ACTR), formed in 2023, includes players like BASF, Carbios, and Celanese, all developing technologies for scalable fiber recycling.
