Lululemon Backs French Nylon Recycler Syntetica in $30M Round

The fashion industry has faced mounting pressure to address its reliance on petrol-sourced synthetics, a vulnerability recently exposed by geopolitical shocks to oil markets. Syntetica’s approach focuses on the pragmatic middle of the supply chain: rather than manufacturing finished garments, the startup produces recycled pellets. These pellets serve as raw material for yarn production, effectively creating a circular loop for brands like Lululemon, Victoria’s Secret, and Etam.

CEO Marco Bertone emphasizes that the company’s viability depends on cost competitiveness rather than a "green premium." To prove this, Syntetica is establishing a commercial demonstration facility in Clermont-Ferrand in partnership with Michelin’s Centre for Sustainable Materials. The funding round, led by Bpifrance’s Ecotechnologies 2 fund, also includes participation from apparel manufacturer MAS Holdings—a signal that the supply chain is eager to secure alternatives to virgin plastic.

Syntetica’s leadership team, which includes chemistry researcher Louis Monsigny and CTO Ash Ward, is currently avoiding the common trap of over-diversification. Their immediate goal is to demonstrate the capacity to produce hundreds of tons of recycled material annually. By locating future facilities near waste sources and textile production hubs, the team intends to prove that industrial-scale recycling can survive without the volatility of the global oil trade. While chemical giants like BASF and other startups explore similar pathways, Syntetica aims to anchor its growth in deep industrial partnerships.