ABB, Syre Partner to Explore Industrial-Scale Textile Recycling Technologies in Vietnam

ABB has signed a memorandum of understanding with Swedish textile impact company Syre to jointly evaluate technologies for large-scale textile-to-textile recycling, supporting the development of Syre’s first commercial plant in Vietnam.

According to reports, the planned facility, to be located in Gia Lai Province, will focus on recycling polyester from post-consumer textiles and industrial waste into new recycled polyester material. While specific capacity figures have not been disclosed, the project represents a key step in Syre’s transition from pilot-scale production to industrial deployment, with construction targeted to begin in 2027.

Under the agreement, ABB will assess how its automation, electrification, and digital technologies can be applied to optimize plant operations. This includes evaluating distributed control systems, industrial software, and electrification solutions to support process efficiency, safety, and product quality. The collaboration is expected to run alongside the plant’s detailed engineering phase, helping define technical requirements for scaling textile recycling processes.

Textile-to-textile recycling of polyester is emerging as a critical pathway for reducing reliance on virgin fossil-based inputs. Polyester remains one of the most widely used synthetic fibers globally, but conventional production is energy-intensive and dependent on petrochemicals. Recycling processes aim to recover and reprocess existing materials into new fibers, lowering emissions and supporting circularity within the textile value chain.

The partnership reflects broader industry efforts to move circular textile technologies from demonstration to industrial scale. Syre has previously established research and pilot operations in North Carolina, where it has demonstrated multi-ton production of recycled PET chips, validating its recycling approach. The Vietnam facility is intended to build on this progress and supply circular polyester to global markets.

From a strategic perspective, ABB’s involvement highlights the increasing role of industrial technology providers in enabling next-generation recycling infrastructure. Advanced automation and process control systems are becoming essential for managing the complexity of chemical and mechanical recycling processes, particularly as facilities scale up.

The initiative also aligns with growing regulatory and market pressure on the textile industry to reduce waste and improve material circularity. Brands and manufacturers are increasingly seeking recycled inputs to meet sustainability targets, while policymakers in multiple regions are advancing frameworks to address textile waste and emissions.

As the sector evolves, collaborations between technology providers and recycling innovators are expected to play a central role in bridging the gap between pilot-scale innovation and commercially viable production.

Source: ABB

SUNSHINE Spotlight: The ABB–Syre collaboration underscores the growing importance of industrial automation and digital technologies in scaling textile recycling from pilot projects to commercial operations.