Selenis to double polyester capacity in Portugal by 2027 with major Portalegre expansion
Selenis has announced a major expansion of its industrial headquarters in Portalegre, Portugal. The company, part of the IMG Group, plans to double the site’s production capacity by the third quarter of 2027. The investment will support the scale-up of bio-based, medical-grade, and circular co-polyesters.
The expansion comes at a time when demand for recyclable and traceable materials is accelerating across Europe. By increasing output while improving energy efficiency and lowering carbon emissions, Selenis aims to align its growth with regulatory and market expectations.
Duarte Gil, CEO of Selenis, stated:
“This expansion is a bold step forward. We are doubling our capacity to meet accelerating demand while ensuring we remain fully aligned with the evolving European regulatory framework. Circularity is no longer just a concept; it is our industrial reality.”
Aligning with Europe’s packaging regulations
The timing of the project is closely linked to new European policy developments. The upcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation requires that all packaging placed on the EU market be recyclable by 2030. It also sets strict targets for recycled content and traceability.
Updates to the Single-Use Plastics Directive now recognise advanced recycling and certified mass-balance approaches, including chemically recycled content, as valid pathways for compliance. This provides a clearer framework for producers investing in chemical recycling and bio-based materials.
Industry association Plastics Europe expects chemical recycling capacity to double every decade starting in 2030. Selenis plans to reach a doubling of its recycled polyester capacity by 2027, ahead of those projections. The company will offer chemically recycled post-consumer resin (PCR) and ISCC+ bio-mass balance solutions that meet current European traceability requirements.
Continuous polymerisation and lower energy intensity
A central part of the Portalegre expansion is the addition of a new Continuous Polymerisation (CP) platform alongside the existing batch technology. Running both systems will allow greater flexibility and more consistent production flow, while reducing energy consumption per tonne.
Carlos Paiva, Chief Operating Officer, stated:
“This expansion is built on a foundation of measurable environmental progress. By adopting continuous polymerisation, we are drastically reducing the energy intensity of every tonne we produce, while our shift towards electrification and reduced natural gas consumption fundamentally lowers our carbon footprint. When paired with our on-site solar farm, these strategic areas ensure that our growth remains firmly aligned with long-term global decarbonization objectives.”
The new CP line will be integrated with advanced vacuum systems, reducing reliance on natural gas and increasing electrification. A significant share of electricity will come from the company’s newly commissioned on-site solar park, helping ensure that higher output is supported by renewable energy.
Supporting food, healthcare and textiles
The additional capacity will serve growing demand in food packaging, healthcare, and textiles. Customers in these sectors are increasingly seeking circular and low-carbon polyesters at industrial scale, with reliable certification and supply.
By expanding ahead of regulatory deadlines and projected industry growth, Selenis is strengthening its position in advanced circular polymers. The Portalegre investment sets a new benchmark for scalable, lower-carbon polyester production in Europe and supports the broader shift toward a circular polymer economy.
