The agreement will see the partners assess how ABB’s automation, electrification and digital technologies could be adapted to the demands of polyester recycling, to enable safe, efficient and scalable operations.
The work will run alongside the detailed engineering phase for Syre’s proposed facility in Gia Lai province, which aims to recycle polyester from used textiles and industrial waste into new recycled polyester material. Construction for the plant is expected to begin in 2027.
Polyester is one of the world’s most widely used fibres and is traditionally made from fossil-based sources. Syre says textile-to-textile recycling can lower climate impacts, reduce dependency on virgin inputs and keep materials in circulation as the industry shifts toward more circular value chains.
“This agreement reflects ABB’s role in supporting emerging industrial applications where automation and electrification can enable greater resource efficiency,” said Wilson Monteiro, global business line manager for pulp, paper and fibre in ABB’s Process Industries division.
“Together with Syre, we will explore how our experience in fibre processing, chemicals and advanced process industries can be applied to polyester recycling. We’re excited to discover what’s possible as we embark on this new technological collaboration.”
Syre CEO Dennis Nobelius added: “As we now move into full industrial deployment, partnerships like this become critical. Industrialising textile-to-textile recycling is a complex undertaking, and while strong customer demand is essential, it must be matched with best-in-class industrial partners.
"ABB brings exactly the depth of expertise and execution capability needed; they are a cornerstone of the industrial ecosystem we are building.”
Syre has expanded rapidly since its public launch two years ago, establishing an R&D facility and pilot line in Mebane, North Carolina, and accelerating to multi-tonne production of circular PET chips in 2025.
While exploratory in nature, the partnership signals ABB’s continued commitment to supporting next-generation fibre-based industries, applying its automation, electrification and digital capabilities to help scale circular materials.
