Samsara Eco, lululemon announce ten-year offtake agreement on recycled nylon, polyester

Enzymatic recycling startup Samsara Eco and sportswear company lululemon have built on a partnership first announced in May 2023, announcing a ten-year offtake agreement that “could see” Samsara’s material “support approximately 20% of lululemon’s overall fibres portfolio”.

The news follows R&D work that has resulted in the world’s first enzymatically recycled nylon 6,6 product sample (long-sleeved tops, announced in February last year) and a limited-edition polyester Anorak product announced two months after that. 

The statement did not give expected volumes, though said there was potential to eventually source 20 per cent of lululemon’s fibres portfolio materials from Samsara, as well as “advance its progress towards making more products with preferred materials by 2030.”

Paul Riley, Founder and CEO at Samsara Eco, said in a statement on Thursday, “The technology to make circular materials is not a pipe dream – it is here, ready for adoption by forward-thinking companies. I’m incredibly optimistic about how we will help fuel circular apparel over the next decade with lululemon.

Ted Dagnese, Chief Supply Chain Officer at lululemon, added: “As we work toward our 2030 impact goals, we’re taking a diversified approach—investing in multiple partnerships to advance solutions and help reduce our reliance on fossil-fuel derived resources.

“Together with our partners, including Samsara Eco, we’re helping to turn our vision of a circular model into a reality.” 
Lululemon came on board as an investor in Samsara in 2023.

The companies said polyester and nylon represent about 60 per cent of the world's total fibres production.

Samsara uses what it calls an “enzymatic depolymersiation” approach to recycling, which involves synthetic microbes converting plastics back into monomers which can then be reused. 

Samsara Eco said it is planning to open a new plant in Jerrabomberra, New South Wales, soon, and a first international commercial facility is scheduled for 2028. 

The company was officially launched in 2021, and is an Australian National University spinout.

Picture: supplied

Further reading

Samsara Eco grows leadership team with US chemical industry veterans

Samsara Eco develops enzymes to recycle nylon

Samsara appoints scientific advisory board

lululemon, Samsara say new recycled polyester jacket is a world first

Samsara, lululemon debut results of nylon recycling R&D

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Samsara Eco raises $100m to recycle plastics