KBR Selected as Key Commercialization Partner for Samsara Eco’s First-of-a-Kind Enzymatic Recycling Plant
Rhea-AI Summary
KBR has been selected to design a groundbreaking enzymatic recycling plant for Samsara Eco, scheduled for completion in early 2028. The facility will process 20,000 metric tons of nylon 6,6 annually using Samsara's AI-powered enzyme technology.
The innovative technology breaks down hard-to-recycle plastics and textiles into their original building blocks, enabling continuous remanufacturing without quality loss. Notable achievements include recycling challenging materials like nylon 6,6, mixed fibers, and colored fabrics.
KBR will deliver pre-FEED by Q2 2025, followed by FEED engineering for the commercial facility. Samsara Eco has already partnered with lululemon, creating the world's first enzymatically recycled nylon 6,6 product and a limited-edition Packable Anorak jacket made from recycled polyester.
Positive
- Secured major engineering contract for Samsara Eco's first commercial recycling facility
- Project strengthens KBR's position in sustainable technology solutions market
- Partnership with established brands like lululemon demonstrates commercial viability
- 20,000 metric tons per year facility shows significant commercial scale
- Technology successfully demonstrated with first-of-kind products already in market
Negative
- Long timeline to completion (2028) may delay revenue recognition
- Initial phase limited to pre-FEED and FEED work, full project execution not guaranteed
- Early-stage technology carries execution and scaling risks
News Market Reaction 1 Alert
On the day this news was published, KBR declined 0.13%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
HOUSTON, April 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KBR (NYSE: KBR) announced today it will support biotech innovator, Samsara Eco, to design its first-of-a-kind plastics and textile enzymatic recycling plant, due for completion in early 2028.
Samsara Eco’s enzymatic recycling technology aims to create a continuous recycling loop for some of the most common types of plastic and synthetic fiber – materials that have traditionally been difficult or impossible to recycle. Powered by Samsara Eco’s proprietary AI platform, the company’s patented enzymes break down plastic to its original building blocks (monomers) which aim to allow plastics to be continuously remanufactured into new products without degradation in quality and with a low carbon footprint. Unlike other recycling methods, Samsara Eco’s technology has demonstrated the recycling of notoriously difficult plastics, including nylon 6,6 and mixed fibers, as well as colored and dyed fabric blends. This breakthrough technology is expected to be critical towards achieving the goal of creating a circular loop for all plastics recycling, helping companies utilize resources and divert waste otherwise destined for landfills.
Under the terms of the agreement, KBR will perform a pre-FEED (front-end engineering design) of the project by the end of Q2 2025. KBR’s technical and commercial experts will then deliver a FEED engineering package for the process design to build a 20,000 metric tons per year commercial facility for nylon 6,6.
“KBR is uniquely equipped to deliver world-class solutions that help our customers bring sustainable technology to market, and we are thrilled to support Samsara Eco on this unique opportunity,” said Jay Ibrahim, President, KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions. “With this award, KBR continues to solidify our commitment to sustainability and technological innovation.”
Paul Riley, Founder and CEO of Samsara Eco commented, “We are charging full speed ahead to deliver our first-of-a-kind plant to fuel a circular economy and support our brand partners’ ambition to create more circular products from low-carbon recycled materials. KBR brings unmatched engineering expertise. This will ensure we can design and build our facility with speed and precision. We’re proud to have KBR in our corner, helping to bring our technology to industrial scale.”
Samsara Eco is already working with leading brands including lululemon to swap virgin materials for recycled materials. Last year, it debuted the world’s first enzymatically recycled nylon 6,6 product. It also launched the first product made from enzymatically recycled polyester, creating lululemon’s limited edition Packable Anorak jacket.
At KBR, a more sustainable future begins now.
About KBR
We deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 38,000 people worldwide with customers in more than 80 countries and operations in over 29 countries. KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, and long-term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results. At KBR, We Deliver.
Visit www.kbr.com
About Samsara Eco
Samsara Eco is an Australian biotech on a mission to repair our planet through infinite plastic recycling. With our enzymatic recycling technology, EosEco™, we break down plastics and textiles to their original building blocks so they can be recreated into new products, infinitely. Our aim is to create a truly circular loop for plastics and textiles to reduce waste and the world’s reliance on climate-damaging fossil fuels.
Samsara Eco launched in 2021 in partnership with the Australian National University (ANU), and with backing from Main Sequence and the Woolworths Group. It has raised over AUD
Visit www.samsaraeco.com
Forward Looking Statements
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For further information, please contact:
Investors
Jamie DuBray
Vice President, Investor Relations
713-753-5082
Investors@kbr.com
Media
Philip Ivy
Vice President, Global Communications and Marketing
713-753-3800
MediaRelations@kbr.com