First 5,000-Ton/Year rPTA Production Line Using Biological Enzymatic Method Established

Recently, Yuantian Biotechnology (Tianjin) Co., Ltd. and the Administrative Committee of Tianjin Economic and Technological Development Zone held a signing ceremony for an investment cooperation memorandum, marking the official launch of the world's first 5,000-ton bio-enzyme regenerated purified terephthalic acid (rPTA) project in Tianjin Economic Development Zone.

It is reported that the total investment of the project is approximately 150 million yuan, and it is expected to be put into operation in mid-2026, with the capability to process about 10,000 tons of waste textiles annually on a large scale.

According to the introduction, from the perspective of raw materials, the bio-enzyme recycling technology offers better raw material compatibility, supporting not only PIR waste textile recycling but also PCR blended recycling. In terms of enzymatic efficiency, the PET degrading enzyme developed by Yuantian Biological has increased enzyme activity by 2000 times, achieving a breakthrough in degradation efficiency to 8 hours. Regarding product quality, its products (rPTA, rEG) are comparable to virgin quality, achieving "zero sensory difference" with virgin petroleum-based materials. In terms of production cost, the bio-enzyme method uses an all-aqueous system, reacting at normal temperature and pressure, without adding organic solvents, resulting in lower energy consumption and significantly reduced costs.

After the completion of the 5,000-ton rPTA production line using biological enzyme technology, YuanTian Bio will focus on recycling and regenerating post-consumer waste textiles as an important source of raw materials. This will establish a closed-loop industrial chain of "waste textiles—rPTA/rEG—rbPET—regenerated fibers," alleviating the environmental pressure caused by textile waste and achieving high-value and high-quality transformation of discarded textiles. The company plans to subsequently construct a 100,000-ton/year biological enzyme rPTA production line.