Lululemon invests in nylon-recycling startup Syntetica as part of 30 million dollar funding round

1. Investment in Nylon Recycling

French startup Syntetica has secured $30 million in a Series A funding round to advance its technology for recycling nylon. The investment round includes participation from activewear brand Lululemon and apparel manufacturer MAS Holdings. Syntetica, founded by CEO Marco Bertone and researcher Louis Monsigny, has developed a process to recycle Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6, which are typically difficult to separate from textile waste. The company plans to use the capital to scale its production of recycled pellets, which can be used by manufacturers to create new yarn.

2. Strategic Partnerships and Operations

Syntetica is focusing on a pragmatic industrial approach, partnering with major brands such as Lululemon, Victoria’s Secret, and Etam to bring its recycling solutions to market, with a project expected to launch early next year. The startup has also established a collaboration with Michelin’s Center for Sustainable Materials to build a commercial demonstration facility in Clermont-Ferrand, France. By producing pellets rather than finished textiles, the company aims to integrate into existing supply chains. The startup is currently led by a team including CTO Ash Ward and is advised by industry figures such as Peter Carlsson.

3. Market Context and Funding Support

The startup’s growth is supported by both public and private investors, including Bpifrance’s Ecotechnologies 2 fund, the European Innovation Council, EQT Ventures, and SWEN Capital Partners. The push for circularity in the fashion industry is driven by consumer demand, regulatory requirements, and the need to mitigate price volatility in petroleum-based materials caused by geopolitical instability. While Syntetica faces competition from other recycling technologies, it intends to focus on scaling its current operations to produce hundreds of tons of material annually before expanding its global footprint.