By: ICN Bureau
Last updated : November 04, 2025 10:41 am
The collaboration resulted in a complete circular system — from waste to monomers, polyester polymers, and final products
Far Eastern New Century (FENC) has been honored with the ITMF International Cooperation Award 2025 by the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) for its groundbreaking collaboration with French biotech company Carbios and global sports brand Salomon.
Together, the three companies have successfully developed a more sustainable version of Salomon’s iconic XT_PU.RE footwear range, utilizing biorecycling technology to produce premium-quality polyester fibers.
This partnership marks a significant milestone for the global textile and footwear industries, showcasing the power of international collaboration in advancing circular economy solutions. Through Carbios’ unique enzyme-based biorecycling process, complex PET/polyester waste was broken down into original monomers with low carbon emissions. FENC then transformed these monomers into high-quality polyester filaments, which were used by Salomon to create the shoe uppers and assemble the final pairs of footwear.
The collaboration resulted in a complete circular system — from waste to monomers, polyester polymers, and final products. Beyond the footwear, FENC and Carbios also produced T-shirts made from complex PET/polyester waste, demonstrating for the first time that Carbios’ biorecycling technology can be seamlessly integrated into existing production lines. This “plug-and-play” approach proves the feasibility of converting non-recyclable waste into high-end, sustainable textiles, significantly reducing environmental impact and supporting global sustainability goals.
FENC was the only Taiwanese company to receive recognition at this year’s ITMF Awards, underscoring its leadership in sustainability and innovation across international supply chains. The achievement also highlights Taiwan’s growing influence in global collaborations that drive green transformation within the textile sector.
Fanny Liao, Executive Vice President of R&D at FENC, expressed gratitude for the recognition, saying: “As a long-term member of ITMF, FENC is truly honored to receive this award. Creating the world’s first bio-recycled PET/polyester products was a remarkable journey filled with challenges and innovation. Thanks to our partners at Carbios and Salomon for their dedication and teamwork in achieving this world-first milestone. This award encourages our textile industry to embrace biotechnology and cross-border collaboration.”
Vincent Kamel, CEO of Carbios, added: “This recognition by ITMF is a strong encouragement to continue our mission of making circularity a reality for plastics and textiles. Together with FENC and Salomon, we’ve shown that international cooperation can accelerate the shift toward sustainable solutions. This award belongs to all the teams who turned an ambitious vision into tangible products.”
Guillaume Meyzenq, President and CEO of Salomon, concluded: “We are proud to share this recognition with Carbios and FENC. It proves that when industry partners unite around innovation and sustainability, circularity can truly move from promise to practice.”