Every year, millions of tonnes of PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) and polyester waste end up dumped in landfills or burned, adding to the planet’s growing environmental crisis. Yet despite urgent calls for better recycling solutions, most technologies today still fall short—especially when dealing with contaminated or mixed plastic waste streams. That’s where Swiss cleantech startup DePoly is stepping in with a game-changing approach, aiming to transform how the world handles plastic waste.
DePoly has now raised $23 million in a major seed round to fuel its next big step. The funding was led by MassMutual Ventures, with support from Founderful, ACE & Company, Angel Invest, Zürcher Kantonalbank, BASF Venture Capital, Beiersdorf Venture Capital, and Syensqo. This new investment follows DePoly’s earlier $13.8 million raise in 2023, marking steady momentum for the company’s vision.
The funding will power the launch of a new 500-tonne-per-year demonstration plant in Monthey, Switzerland. Expected to go live this summer, the facility will showcase DePoly’s ability to move from lab success to industrial-scale operations. Once online, it positions DePoly among Europe’s most advanced recycling technology players.
Meet the Team Behind DePoly’s Breakthrough
DePoly’s success story is driven by a powerhouse founding team: Dr. Samantha Anderson, Dr. Christopher Ireland, and Dr. Bardiya Valizadeh. Anderson, DePoly’s CEO, holds a Ph.D. in chemistry and has a clear passion for turning lab research into real-world impact. Ireland, the CSO, brings deep expertise in polymer materials, while CTO Valizadeh focuses on scaling the technology for large-scale production.
At the core of DePoly’s solution is a proprietary process that breaks down PET and polyester waste into virgin-quality raw materials—without relying on fossil fuels. Unlike traditional recycling, which struggles with contaminated or complex plastics, DePoly’s system can handle it all without losing quality. That means everything from old water bottles to discarded polyester clothing can be reborn as the core materials for new products, helping to drive a true circular economy.
Already, DePoly’s recycled monomers have passed the tough quality standards set by industries like fashion, cosmetics, and consumer goods. Brands like Odlo and PTI have shown that DePoly’s technology can produce high-performance textile fibers, cosmetic packaging, and new bottles—all from waste. These partnerships prove that DePoly’s recycled materials don’t just match virgin quality—they sometimes surpass it.
DePoly’s Bold Global Ambition for Circular Plastics
DePoly isn’t stopping at a demonstration plant. Plans are already underway for a full commercial-scale facility targeted to open in 2027. This next leap will allow the company to process much larger volumes of PET and polyester waste and solidify its place as a global leader in sustainable plastics.
Recognized as a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum and a Top 100 Swiss Startup winner in 2024, DePoly is proving that sustainable innovation isn’t a distant dream—it’s already happening.
Delivering oil-equivalent monomers, DePoly is setting a new benchmark for circularity. Its technology offers industries a true alternative to virgin materials, giving manufacturers a way to create products without leaning on fossil resources. CEO Samantha Anderson describes the showcase plant as a pivotal moment that validates DePoly’s roadmap toward building a truly circular plastics economy.
MassMutual Ventures’ Europe Lead, Alix Brunet, called DePoly’s platform “a game changer” that addresses one of the most critical industrial and societal challenges today. CFO David Hanf, who joined DePoly in 2024 after leading growth at German scale-ups like Smava and Thermondo, adds that DePoly’s technology is poised to compete with virgin plastics on price—one of the key hurdles for scaling sustainable alternatives globally.
With new funding in hand and a strong international investor base, DePoly is gearing up to lead the charge toward a cleaner, circular future for plastics.
