Econyl

1. What is ECONYL®?

• ECONYL® is a regenerated nylon made entirely from waste materials, such as:

  • Abandoned fishing nets

  • Textile scraps

  • Carpeting

  • Industrial plastic waste

• It is developed by the Italian company Aquafil and chemically identical to virgin nylon (Nylon 6), yet it’s made without using new fossil resources.

• ECONYL® can be regenerated, remolded, and reused infinitely without loss of quality—supporting the circular economy.

2. Environmental Benefits

• Waste Recovery: ECONYL® is sourced from:

  • Ocean and marine debris (like “ghost nets” harmful to marine life)

  • Landfill-bound nylon waste

• Reduces Environmental Pollution:

  • Helps clean up oceans and reduce the impact of non-biodegradable waste

  • Contributes to healthier ecosystems and biodiversity

• Lowers Carbon Emissions:

  • Producing ECONYL® reduces global warming impact by up to 90% compared to virgin nylon

• No New Crude Oil Required:

  • Avoids reliance on fossil fuels by transforming existing waste into a high-quality raw material

3. Durability and Longevity

• As a form of nylon, ECONYL® retains:

  • High strength

  • Elasticity

  • Abrasion resistance

• Ideal for products requiring long-term performance and flexibility, such as:

  • Swimwear

  • Activewear

  • Leggings and lingerie

  • Carpet tiles and upholstery

• Its strength and durability contribute to longer product lifespans, reducing the frequency of replacement and waste.

4. Low-Waste Production

• ECONYL® is produced through an innovative closed-loop regeneration process:

  1. Rescue: Waste is collected from oceans, landfills, and factories.

  2. Regenerate: Nylon is broken down to its molecular form and purified.

  3. Remake: The material is re-polymerized into nylon yarn.

  4. Reimagine: Designers and manufacturers create new products.

• This process minimizes:

  • Water use

  • Energy consumption (especially in waste collection and transformation)

  • Landfill contribution

5. Versatility and Comfort

• ECONYL® is known for its:

  • Silky-smooth feel

  • Breathability

  • Lightweight yet durable texture

• Common applications include:

  • Sustainable fashion: swimwear, sportswear, lingerie, tights

  • Luxury brands: bags, accessories, high-end apparel

  • Interior design: carpets, furniture textiles, and automotive interiors

• Compatible with dyeing and finishing processes, offering creative flexibility without compromising eco-values.

6. Economic and Social Impact

• ECONYL®:

  • Encourages responsible waste management industries (e.g., marine debris cleanup)

  • Supports local economies involved in collecting and sorting waste materials

  • Enables green jobs in textile innovation and sustainable production

• Used by high-profile brands such as Stella McCartney, Prada (Re-Nylon), Adidas, and Gucci, driving awareness and mainstream adoption of sustainable alternatives

7. Circular Fashion and ECONYL®

• ECONYL® is a circular fiber by design:

  • Fully regenerable and recyclable

  • Encourages product return and reuse schemes

• Promotes:

  • Design for longevity and recyclability

  • Modular fashion systems (products designed for easy disassembly and recycling)

  • Brand-led circular initiatives, like take-back programs and fiber-to-fiber recycling

• It embodies closed-loop production, where waste becomes raw material in a continuous cycle

8. Things to Consider

• Not Biodegradable: While ECONYL® is made from recycled materials and is recyclable, it remains a synthetic fiber that does not naturally decompose.

• Microfiber Pollution: Like all synthetic textiles, ECONYL® can shed microplastics during washing. Preventative steps include:

  • Using washing bags or machine filters

  • Choosing tightly woven fabrics to reduce shedding

  • Supporting water filtration advancements

• Higher Cost: ECONYL® is typically more expensive than virgin nylon or traditional synthetics, due to its innovative production process and eco-certifications

• Recycling Infrastructure: Full circularity depends on effective collection, sorting, and regeneration systems—still limited in many parts of the world