Ester Loop Infinite Technologies Private Limited (ELITe), the 50:50 joint venture between Ester Industries and Loop Industries, has secured a significant commercial milestone after Loop Industries signed a multi-year, non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) with a leading global sports and athletic brand for the supply of up to 15,000 metric tons of Loop™ PET Fiber Grade resin annually.
The agreement strengthens ELITe’s position in the rapidly expanding circular textile market and further reinforces the growing demand for textile-to-textile recycled polyester among major global sportswear companies.
The recycled PET resin will be supplied from ELITe’s upcoming manufacturing facility in India, which is expected to begin operations in 2028.
Second Major Global Sports Brand Commits to ELITe
The latest agreement follows an earlier announcement involving global sportswear giant Nike, which became the anchor customer for the project.
With commitments now secured from two leading international sports brands, a substantial portion of the facility’s planned annual production capacity has already been earmarked before commercial operations have even begun.
The development highlights the increasing adoption of circular materials within the global sportswear industry as brands seek to reduce their environmental footprint and strengthen their sustainability commitments.
Growing Demand for Circular Polyester
Commenting on the development, Arvind Singhania, Chairman of Ester Industries Limited, said that the latest commitment validates the market potential for circular polyester manufacturing.
According to Singhania, the agreement demonstrates strong demand for textile-to-textile recycled polyester and reinforces ELITe’s strategic role in advancing sustainable manufacturing.
Daniel Solomita, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Loop Industries, added that the agreement confirms the company’s ability to deliver virgin-quality sustainable resin at a commercial scale.
He noted that increasing interest from leading global brands further strengthens the long-term business case for ELITe’s upcoming facility.
Proprietary Technology to Transform Textile Waste into Virgin-Quality Polyester
The manufacturing facility will utilize Loop Industries’ proprietary depolymerization technology to convert 100% polyester textile waste into virgin-quality monomers, including:
- Dimethyl terephthalate (DMT)
- Monoethylene glycol (MEG)
These monomers will then be polymerized to produce high-quality polyester resin suitable for textile applications.
Unlike traditional mechanical recycling, the depolymerization process breaks down polyester into its basic molecular building blocks, allowing the material to be continuously recycled while maintaining product quality.
Initial feedstock validation and resin testing have already generated positive preliminary results, creating a pathway toward full material qualification and long-term supply agreements with global apparel brands.
Advancing Circular Textile Manufacturing
The partnership reflects a broader industry shift toward circular manufacturing models designed to reduce dependence on virgin, fossil fuel-based polyester.
As global brands increasingly adopt low-carbon sourcing strategies, textile-to-textile recycling is emerging as one of the most promising solutions for reducing waste and creating more sustainable supply chains.
The ELITe project aims to support this transition by developing a scalable recycling ecosystem capable of converting post-consumer and post-industrial textile waste into high-value recycled polyester.
Project Development Remains on Schedule
ELITe’s manufacturing project continues to progress according to schedule.
Key project milestones include:
- Land acquisition expected to be completed within the next two to three months
- Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) completed by Tata Consulting Engineers
- Detailed engineering contract awarded to Toyo Engineering India Private Limited
- Commercial operations targeted for 2028
With global brands already committing to future production capacity, ELITe appears well-positioned to become an important supplier in the growing market for circular polyester and sustainable textile materials.