Lululemon Leads $12M Funding for Recycling Startup’s 2028 Commercial Plant
Lululemon participated in a $12 million funding round for Epoch Biodesign’s enzyme-based recycling process, which achieves over 90% recovery of nylon 6,6 monomers from textile waste. The financing will support a demonstration-scale facility in London and a 2028 commercial plant capable of producing 20,000 metric tons of monomers annually.
1. Funding Round Details
Lululemon participated in a $12 million financing alongside Exantia, Happiness Capital, Kompas VC and Leitmotif to back Epoch Biodesign’s enzyme-based recycling technology.
2. Enzyme Recycling Process
Epoch uses a cascade of industrial enzymes to break down pre- and post-consumer nylon 6,6 waste into over 90% pure monomers, while isolating dyes for separate handling.
3. Facility Plans and Capacity
The funding will finance a demonstration-scale plant near Imperial College London and pave the way for a 2028 commercial facility designed to produce 20,000 metric tons of monomers per year.
4. Strategic Implications for Lululemon
By investing in recycling technology that stabilizes feedstock costs and reduces reliance on petroleum-derived materials, Lululemon aims to enhance supply chain sustainability and cost predictability.