Samara Eco and KBR explain the new recycling plant is expected to complete in early 2028, however KBR will conduct preliminary front-end engineering design (pre-FEED) work by the end of the second quarter of 2025.
Following this phase, KBR's team of specialists will provide a detailed FEED engineering package focused on the process design required for constructing a commercial-scale facility capable of handling 20,000 metric tonnes of nylon 6,6 annually.
KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions president Jay Ibrahim said: "KBR is uniquely equipped to deliver world-class solutions that help our customers bring sustainable technology to market, and we are thrilled to support Samsara Eco on this unique opportunity. With this award, KBR continues to solidify our commitment to sustainability and technological innovation."
In December last year, Samsara Eco unveiled a new enzyme technology that promises to revolutionise the recycling of nylon 6, a synthetic fibre extensively used in the clothing and hosiery industries.
Samsara Eco's enzymatic recycling process is designed to enable a sustainable cycle for recycling common plastic and synthetic fibre materials that have previously been challenging for traditional recycling methods.
Leveraging a proprietary AI-driven platform, Samsara Eco's enzymes decompose plastics into their fundamental components, known as monomers. This process is intended to facilitate the continuous reproduction of plastics into new items without diminishing quality and with a minimal carbon footprint.
The technology from Samsara Eco has successfully recycled complex plastics, such as nylon 6,6 and assorted fibres, including those that are coloured or dyed.
This process is anticipated to establish a circular system for all plastic recycling, enabling customers to use resources and reduce waste from landfills.
Samsara Eco founder and CEO Paul Riley said: "We are charging full speed ahead to deliver our first-of-a-kind plant to fuel a circular economy and support our brand partners’ ambition to create more circular products from low-carbon recycled materials. KBR brings unmatched engineering expertise. This will ensure we can design and build our facility with speed and precision. We’re proud to have KBR in our corner, helping bring our technology to industrial scale."
Samsara Eco has already collaborated with fashion brands like lululemon to replace virgin materials with recycled ones.
Last year, the company launched its first product featuring enzymatically recycled nylon 6,6. Additionally, they introduced lululemon’s limited edition Packable Anorak jacket made from enzymatically recycled polyester.
