The partnership comes after Matterr received a significant grant from the EU, enabling the company to move forward with its plans to construct a new factory dedicated to enhancing polyester recycling processes.
Bestseller sustainability head Dorte Rye Olsen said: “Matterr is a young company with an interesting solution that aims to be implemented on a large scale to benefit the entire fashion industry. We believe in the scalability of their technology as well as the commercial potential of the company. This can ensure the right impact in the long run.”
Matterr has developed a chemical recycling technology, which transforms hard-to-recycle worn-out textiles and packaging waste into high-quality raw materials that are similar to virgin polyester.
The company will leverage fundings from both the EU and Bestseller to commence construction of its small-scale industrial plant in 2026.
Upon operation, the proposed facility is expected to annually convert 10,000 tonnes (t) of polyester-rich waste into raw materials of virgin quality.
Matterr CEO Melanie Hackler said: “To achieve our ambitious goals, it is essential to have the right partners by our side. With Bestseller we share not only mindset and values, but also the belief that true change comes from pragmatic collaboration. Together, we are building a partnership that points towards the business models of the future.”
Invest FWD, the investment division of Bestseller, is proactively channelling funds into recycling technologies and companies within the sector that demonstrate scalability potential.
So far, the company has already invested DKK240m in innovative firms that are developing future materials and contributing to industry breakthroughs.
"Bestseller has clear ambitions to reduce dependency from fossil sources, and utilisation of recycled polyester is a crucial component in achieving this.
"Moreover, our investments in innovative recycling technologies align with the fashion industry’s vision of transforming consumers' worn-out garments into raw materials for new clothing. Given the vast number of garments used globally today, it is essential that we take on our responsibility and utilise discarded materials repeatedly,” Dorte Rye Olsen added.
The investment from Invest FWD coincides with Matterr securing a €30m euro grant from the EU’s EFRE/JTF program in North Rhine-Westphalia – marking one of the largest grants under this scheme.
