Selenis: Expansion of Production Capacity in Portugal for Bio-Based Copolyesters and Recycled, Low-CO₂ Polyester Solutions

Aerial view of Selenis’ state-of-the-art production facility in Portalegre, Portugal - (Photo: Selenis).

Selenis plans to double production capacity at its industrial headquarters in Portalegre, Portugal, by the third quarter of 2027. The investment will expand the production of bio-based copolyesters as well as recycled and low-CO₂ polyester solutions for medical applications, packaging, and textiles.

At the core of the project is the introduction of next-generation continuous polymerization (CP) technology, which will complement the existing batch production. By combining both processes, the company aims to increase production flexibility and enable a continuous, consistent material flow. At the same time, the new technology is designed to significantly reduce energy consumption per ton produced.

Advert

The CP line will be integrated with electric vacuum systems. This is expected to increase the share of electrified processes at the site and reduce dependence on natural gas. Part of the additional electricity demand will be covered by a newly commissioned solar park at the facility. According to the company, this will result in a structural shift in the site’s energy profile and a reduction in CO₂ emissions.

With the capacity expansion, Selenis is responding to regulatory and market developments in Europe. The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) stipulates that by 2030 all packaging placed on the EU market must be recyclable and sets binding targets for recycled content as well as traceability requirements. In addition, recent amendments to the Single-Use Plastics Directive recognize advanced recycling and certified mass balance approaches—including chemically recycled content—as compliant fulfillment options.

Against this backdrop, Selenis also plans to double its own recycled polyester capacity by 2027. This includes chemically recycled post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials as well as ISCC+ certified biomass balance solutions that meet current European traceability requirements.

The additional output is intended primarily to meet demand in the food and healthcare packaging segments as well as in textiles. The goal is to supply circular and low-CO₂ polyesters at industrial scale.

Selenis operates production sites in Portugal, Italy, and the United States. Its facilities include batch and continuous polymerization processes as well as solid-state polymerization, enabling the company to produce both amorphous and crystallized polyesters for specialized applications.

The company is part of the Portugal-based IMG Group.

More information: www.selenis.com

Selenis, Portalegre, Portugal

back to news list