On December 12, 2025, German climate technology startup Matterr announced plans to build a PET depolymerization plant in Knapsak. The plant, with an expected annual processing capacity of 10,000 tons, is scheduled to begin construction in 2026.
The plant will process PET waste from multi-layer packaging and blended textiles, recycling both materials. Its patented process breaks down PET into virgin monomers-ethylene glycol and purified terephthalic acid (PET). According to Matterr, the reactions can be completed under normal pressure and mild conditions. The purified components can be directly used in existing polyester production plants to produce products with performance similar to virgin materials, providing a sustainable alternative to fossil-based feedstocks.
The company stated that the new plant aims to validate the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of its technology.
Matt's Chief Operating Officer, Benjamin Rump, added that the core challenge for the industry today lies in developing recycling processes that are both efficient and scalable. This is precisely the key challenge Matt is dedicated to addressing. Through this new industrial plant, we will demonstrate that our depolymerization process can operate stably at a commercial scale, exhibiting both high reliability and excellent process stability.
The plant is located in the Knapsack chemical park, operated by Yncoris. Matt noted that the park's well-developed integrated infrastructure will provide crucial support for the progress of this small-scale project.
Rump further stated that the park's well-developed integrated infrastructure will provide crucial support for the progress of this small-scale project. We will leverage Yncoris' extensive experience in plant construction and integration; this partnership is key to our successful transition from the pilot phase to industrialization.
It is worth noting that LyondellBasell, a giant in the chemical and plastics industry, recently suspended its plans to build a plastic waste sorting plant in the same park.
