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Rochester, NY — January 20, 2026 — French textile regeneration company Reju has announced plans to establish a $390 million textile-to-textile regeneration hub at Eastman Business Park in Rochester. This represents the company's first U.S. commercial-scale manufacturing facility and marks a significant investment in sustainable manufacturing for upstate New York.
The new Reju facility will span 145,000 square feet across 18.9 acres at Eastman Business Park, according to an announcement by Governor Kathy Hochul on January 20, 2026. The facility is designed to transform textile waste into high-quality regenerated polyester with a significantly lower carbon footprint than virgin polyester production.
The project is subject to approval by Technip Energies, Reju's parent company. Once operational, the facility will have the capacity to recycle approximately 300 million articles of clothing annually into reusable polyester textiles.
The $390 million investment is expected to create approximately 70 permanent jobs including engineers, technicians, machinists and production roles. The facility will join Rochester's growing advanced manufacturing sector alongside existing optical, pharmaceutical, and tech companies.
According to Rochester Democrat and Chronicle's reporting on January 20, 2026, the Reju facility represents Governor Hochul's commitment to attracting clean manufacturing and circular economy businesses to New York State. The project aligns with state sustainability goals and positions Rochester as a hub for innovative textile regeneration technology.
Reju specializes in innovative solutions for regenerating polyester textiles and post-consumer polyethylene materials. The textile-to-textile regeneration process significantly reduces the environmental impact compared to traditional manufacturing, addressing the growing demand for sustainable fashion and textile production.
By converting textile waste into virgin-quality regenerated polyester, Reju's process enables the circular fashion economy. The company's technology has gained attention from major fashion and apparel brands seeking sustainable sourcing alternatives.
Eastman Business Park, located along Lake and Eastman Avenues in Rochester, is one of the region's premier mixed-use business parks and home to various industrial, manufacturing, and office operations. The new Reju facility will complement existing tenants and strengthen the park's position as a hub for advanced manufacturing.
While specific construction timelines were not detailed in January announcements, the project is expected to move toward mobilization and construction planning following the parent company board approval.
This investment represents a major vote of confidence in Rochester's manufacturing capabilities and workforce. The textile regeneration industry is rapidly growing globally as fashion and apparel companies face pressure to reduce their environmental footprint and embrace circular economy principles.
Rochester's strong industrial base, technical workforce, and proximity to major markets make it an attractive location for advanced manufacturing facilities. The Reju hub joins recent announcements including the Sydor Optics expansion and ongoing development at Eastman Business Park, signaling renewed momentum in Rochester's manufacturing sector.
The facility also demonstrates government support for clean manufacturing through Governor Hochul's economic development initiatives and state funding priorities focused on sustainable industry.
Reju's announcement marks an important step in establishing Rochester as a center for circular manufacturing and sustainable fashion technology. The company will work with state agencies and local partners toward facility development. As the project moves forward, Rochester stakeholders and construction professionals will monitor progress on site preparation, workforce recruitment, and the timeline for operations launch.
Industry Insight: Westside Construction Group brings 30+ years of experience managing complex industrial and manufacturing facility construction across Upstate New York. For consultation on manufacturing facility projects: (585) 440-0304 or www.buildwcg.com
For more on Rochester development, see our coverage of Sydor Optics' new 100,000-square-foot facility expansion.
Governor Hochul allocates $300M for Monroe County/Rochester in 2027 state budget. $225M for Rochester-Monroe Transformation Initiative, $75M for High Falls State Park. Aims to drive job creation and economic development.
Rochester optics manufacturer Sydor acquires Vertex Optics, doubles capacity with 100,000-sq-ft facility expansion. New plant opens summer 2027, construction begins spring 2026. First acquisition in company history.
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