U.S. Textile Recycler Circ to Build World’s First Industrial Polycotton Recycling Plant in France

As the world generates more than 92 million tons of textile waste annually, a breakthrough is on the horizon for polyester-cotton blends, which have long been considered nearly impossible to recycle.

U.S.-based textile recycling company Circ has announced plans to build the world’s first commercial-scale polycotton recycling facility in Saint-Avold, France. Scheduled to begin operations in 2028, the plant will be capable of processing 70,000 metric tons of polycotton waste per year into reusable raw textile materials.

The facility will require an investment of approximately €450 million (about $500 million) and is expected to create around 200 jobs. Backed by both the French government and the European Union, the project was officially unveiled during the Choose France 2025 economic development summit held in May.

At the heart of this initiative is Circ’s proprietary hydrothermal technology, which separates blended polyester and cotton fabrics and recovers both materials in a state suitable for reuse. This technological innovation addresses a major barrier in textile recycling, marking a significant step toward circularity in the fashion industry.

Circ President Peter Majeranowski commented on this milestone: “This is the moment we’ve been building toward since Circ was founded. Our first full-scale facility will push circular fashion over the critical tipping point in the global economy, proving that the future of textiles can be decarbonized, closer to waste-free, and regenerative by design. It’s not just a major milestone for Circ, but a breakthrough for the entire circular economy at a time when the planet urgently needs scalable climate solutions.”

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, the fashion industry accounts for up to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, surpassing those from international flights and maritime shipping combined. Moreover, less than 1% of textiles produced globally are ever recycled back into new textile products.

Circ’s efforts are drawing global attention as a viable solution to one of the industry’s most pressing structural issues. The French plant will serve as the company’s flagship facility and a prototype for future expansion in North America and Asia.

The project is being executed in collaboration with global engineering leaders Worley, GEA, and Andritz, ensuring industrial scalability from infrastructure to operations.