US DOE Funds Protein Evolution’s $3M Enzyme Tech to Industrialize Polyester Garment Recycling

September 20, 2026

Textiles Resources USA

Overview

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded Protein Evolution $3 million to advance its enzyme technology for recycling post-consumer polyester garments into new fabrics. This initiative aims to scale PET-degrading enzymes for industrial application and integrate them into commercially viable manufacturing lines. The project is critical for increasing the supply of recycled polyester from textile waste, which currently accounts for less than 1% of total recycled polyester production.

In Depth

Key Findings

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded Protein Evolution $3 million to accelerate the industrialization of its enzyme technology, which aims to convert discarded polyester garments back into new fabric materials.

Technical / Clinical Details

The core of this project involves developing and scaling advanced PET (polyethylene terephthalate) degrading enzymes to function effectively within a commercially viable manufacturing process. While recycled polyester is predominantly sourced from plastic bottles, less than 1% of recycled polyester currently originates from textile waste. Protein Evolution’s technology seeks to overcome this limitation by efficiently producing high-value recycled materials from complex textile waste streams.

Background & Context

The global fashion industry generates immense volumes of textile waste, with a significant portion ending up in landfills. Sustainable and economically feasible recycling solutions are urgently needed to address this environmental challenge. Enzymatic degradation offers a promising pathway, providing a highly selective and efficient method for breaking down specific polymers under milder conditions compared to traditional mechanical and chemical recycling processes.

Strategic Significance & Outlook

This DOE funding is expected to significantly accelerate Protein Evolution’s technology development, potentially revolutionizing the circularity of polyester textiles. Successful industrial-scale deployment would lead to a substantial increase in textile recycling rates, reduce reliance on virgin materials, and mitigate the environmental impact of textile production and disposal. This initiative represents a crucial step towards fostering a more circular economy within the textile industry.

Source: https://www.textilesresources.com/news/polyester-textile-recycling-enzymes/

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