Samsara Eco further expands enzymes portfolio

Clean-tech company Samsara Eco announced on 10 Dec. that it has further advanced its polyamide recycling platform with the development of enzymes capable of recycling nylon 6, a synthetic fibre commonly used in apparel, hosiery and automotives. The innovation builds on Samsara Eco’s existing capabilities to recycle nylon 6,6 and polyester and comes at a critical time when almost two-thirds of the 3.25 billion tonnes of textiles produced each year end in landfill or incineration. Less than 1 per cent of textiles are made from recycled textiles, meaning almost all synthetic textiles are still made from carbon-intensive fossil fuels. However, said Paul Riley, CEO and founder of Samsara Eco, pushed by incoming regulation, industries are becoming increasingly mindful of the entire lifecycle of their products and their carbon impact.
The newest enzymes can break down nylon 6 into its original building block, which can be reused repeatedly without losing quality. The breakthrough was achieved using Samsara Eco’s proprietary enzyme design platform, which creates enzymes capable of breaking down plastics at speed, scale, and precision. It follows intensive research, lab testing, and bench-scale proof of concept. 
“The current take-make-waste economy is incredibly damaging to our planet. We must reduce our reliance on carbon-intensive fossil fuels and instead, use what’s already in circulation,” said Riley. 
“Our latest breakthrough makes it possible to believe future textiles will be made from waste and excess, not fossil fuels. We are now able to give new life to nylon 6 and continue to recycle the typically unrecyclable, infinitely. Our ability to recycle nylon 6, nylon 6,6, polyester and mixed fibres, including coloured and dyed blends, is a game-changer for the textile and fashion industry.”
Samsara Eco will collaborate with customers in textiles and automotive – two industries where nylon 6 is prevalent – as well as strategic partners to trial the new enzymes on nylon 6 products and blended materials from its innovation campus in Jerrabomberra, New South Wales, set to open mid-2025.