Syntetica raises $30M to recycle mixed nylon at scale

Key Takeaways

• Syntetica raised $30M Series A led by Bpifrance, with strategic backing from Lululemon and MAS Holdings
• The startup's patented process can recycle both Nylon 6 and Nylon 66 together, eliminating the need for pre-sorting
• Less than 1% of recyclable clothing globally gets remade into textiles, highlighting the market opportunity

Syntetica, a two-year-old Paris startup, has closed a $30 million Series A to commercialize a process that recycles multiple types of nylon in a single step. Bpifrance's Ecotechnologies fund led the round, with Lululemon, MAS Holdings, and existing backer EQT Ventures joining.

The deal stands out for its investor mix. Lululemon and MAS Holdings are not typical financial backers. They are among the world's largest buyers of nylon fabric. Their participation signals that Syntetica's technology has cleared early validation with the customers who would actually use it.

Why nylon recycling has been stuck

Nylon shows up everywhere: yoga pants, toothbrush bristles, car parts, fishing nets. But recycling it at scale has failed for a specific reason. The two dominant types, Nylon 6 and Nylon 66, have different chemical structures. Traditional recycling requires sorting them first, then running each through a separate process. That sorting step is expensive and often impractical.

The result is dismal. According to a 2024 BCG analysis, less than 1% of recyclable clothing globally gets remade into textiles. Most nylon ends up incinerated or in landfills, where it can persist for 500 years.

Syntetica claims its patented process handles both nylon types together, without pre-sorting. "For decades, mixed nylon waste has been considered too complex and too expensive to recycle at scale," says Marco Bertone, cofounder and CEO. "We have shown that it is possible to recover high-value materials from the waste streams the industry has historically written off."

Where the money goes

Syntetica plans to build a commercial demonstration facility in France, in partnership with Michelin. This is the critical step between lab results and industrial-scale adoption. Fashion brands need proof the technology works outside a controlled environment before committing supply chain changes.

The company already has pilot relationships with Victoria's Secret and Etam. Etam's family office participated in this round, suggesting the retailer is betting on Syntetica becoming a long-term supplier.

Other investors include SWEN Capital Partners, Indorama Ventures (the venture arm of the Singaporean materials giant), and the Peugeot family office. The automotive connection matters. Nylon is heavily used in car interiors and engine components, giving Syntetica a second large market beyond apparel.

The fundraising trajectory

Syntetica raised €4.2 million in seed funding in 2024, less than a year before this Series A. That pace is fast for deeptech, where hardware and chemistry companies often spend years proving out their science before attracting growth capital.

EQT Ventures backed the seed round and returned for the Series A. For founders watching the deal, the pattern matters: EQT's continued support suggests the startup hit or exceeded its milestones.

What makes the strategic investors unusual

Lululemon is not a prolific startup investor. When an athletic apparel company puts money into a recycling startup, it is hedging its regulatory and reputational exposure. The EU's extended producer responsibility rules will force brands to take accountability for end-of-life products. Companies that can prove circular supply chains will have an easier compliance path.

MAS Holdings, meanwhile, is one of the largest apparel manufacturers globally, supplying Nike, Victoria's Secret, and others. Its investment suggests Syntetica's process could integrate into existing manufacturing infrastructure, not just handle post-consumer waste.

Frequently Asked Questions

What problem does Syntetica solve?

Syntetica has developed a process to recycle both major nylon types (Nylon 6 and Nylon 66) together, eliminating the costly sorting step that has blocked industrial-scale nylon recycling.

Who invested in Syntetica's Series A?

Bpifrance's Ecotechnologies fund led the $30M round. Strategic investors include Lululemon, MAS Holdings, SWEN Capital Partners, and Indorama Ventures. EQT Ventures and the Peugeot and Etam family offices also participated.

How much has Syntetica raised in total?

Syntetica raised €4.2M in a 2024 seed round and $30M in this Series A, bringing total funding to approximately $34.5M.

What will Syntetica do with the funding?

The company plans to build a commercial demonstration facility in France in partnership with Michelin, moving from pilot projects to industrial-scale production.

Which brands is Syntetica already working with?

Syntetica has pilot relationships with Victoria's Secret and Etam, and strategic investment from Lululemon suggests broader adoption in athletic apparel.

Source: Sifted