Samsara Eco, KBR develop first enzymatic nylon recycling plant

Australian biotech innovator Samsara Eco has selected global engineering firm KBR to lead the design and development of its first commercial-scale enzymatic recycling facility for hard-to-recycle plastics and textiles, including nylon 6,6. The plant is expected to be operational by early 2028.

Set to process up to 20,000 metric tonnes of nylon 6,6 annually, the facility will leverage Samsara Eco’s revolutionary AI-powered enzyme technology, which breaks down synthetic fibers and plastics into their original monomers, enabling endless reuse without loss of quality or high emissions.

KBR will complete preliminary front-end engineering design (pre-FEED) by mid-2025, followed by a detailed FEED engineering package. “We’re proud to support Samsara Eco on this unique opportunity,” said Jay Ibrahim, President of KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions. “This project underscores our commitment to accelerating sustainable innovation.”

Samsara Eco’s technology has already successfully recycled challenging materials like colored and dyed nylon fibers. By enabling a truly circular model for plastics, this project could drastically reduce landfill waste and emissions from synthetic textiles and packaging.