French company Reju has announced plans to build a $390 million textile regeneration hub at Eastman Business Park in Rochester, New York. This facility will be the company’s first operation in North America and is expected to be operational by the end of 2029. The project will create about 70 new jobs, including positions for engineers, technicians, machinists, and production staff.
Reju specializes in regenerating polyester textiles and post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste from discarded textiles. The company’s technology aims to advance the circular economy by transforming textile waste into reusable materials. At full capacity, the Rochester facility is projected to regenerate the equivalent of 300 million articles annually that would otherwise become landfill waste.
Governor Kathy Hochul commented on the initiative: “New York State is committed to creating good paying jobs, and supporting innovative projects and companies that are working to keep materials out of landfills and protecting our planet. Reju’s ambitious project will create approximately 70 new jobs at Eastman Business Park, and will show how smart investments can turn waste into opportunity, further supporting our state’s overall green economy efforts and creating a brighter future for everyone.”
The new 145,000 square-foot facility will use proprietary technology developed with IBM Research to process textile waste into high-quality Reju Polyester. According to Reju, this regenerated material has half the carbon footprint of virgin polyester and can be recycled multiple times.
Reju CEO Patrik Frisk said, “As our first Regeneration hub in the United States, this site selection in Rochester, New York is a major leap forward in building a truly global circular system. We are proud to bring Reju’s sustainable manufacturing and jobs to the Rochester community. Reju is investing in a future where post-consumer textile waste becomes a resource, not a liability. It’s a signal to the market that circularity at scale is possible and now is the time to ensure the momentum continues to build.”
Empire State Development (ESD) is supporting Reju with a $4 million capital grant as well as up to $1 million through its Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit Program based on job creation commitments. Monroe County, the City of Rochester, and Greater Rochester Enterprise are also providing assistance for this project.
Hope Knight, President of Empire State Development said: “Reju’s decision to expand into New York State represents the latest in Governor Hochul’s efforts to promote a circular economy. As we continue to pivot away from the single-use, disposable model, we are supporting new ideas that reduce overall pollution and keep resources out of landfills, while boosting sustainability and generating new economic growth.”
In recent years New York has taken steps toward improving sustainability within its textile industry by passing legislation promoting local fiber manufacturing as well as funding research centers focused on sustainable textiles.
Amanda Lefton from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation stated: “Under the leadership of Governor Hochul, New York State continues to lead on diverting waste from landfills and returning materials back to productive use which creates further progress towards our climate goals. Establishing a circular economy is fundamental… With nearly 1.4 billion pounds of clothing… thrown away in New York each year this major textile recycling facility… will support our statewide efforts.”
Eastman Business Park currently hosts over 100 companies employing more than 6,000 people after being revitalized from its origins as Kodak’s manufacturing site over a century ago.
Kodak’s Jim Moran welcomed Reju: “Kodak is thrilled… We look forward to supporting Reju’s goal… by leveraging unique infrastructure…”
Local officials praised both job creation potential and environmental benefits associated with this investment.
Additional information about Eastman Business Park can be found online.
Reju operates under Technip Energies ownership with experience running pilot operations since October 2024 in Frankfurt; it recently selected The Netherlands for its first European full-scale plant.
Empire State Development serves as New York’s main economic development agency overseeing regional councils across all ten regions while promoting business growth statewide through various programs.
