From Ocean Waste to Ocean Wear: The Story Behind Our ECONYL® Fabric

Have you ever wondered what happens to old fishing nets and fabric scraps? ECONYL transforms these discarded materials into something new and useful for your clothes. The fashion industry creates huge amounts of waste every year.

• Around 92 million tonnes of textile waste end up in landfills each year.

You play a part in changing this by discovering the ECONYL story. Let’s see how waste can become style.

Key Takeaways

• ECONYL transforms waste like fishing nets and fabric scraps into new nylon, helping reduce textile waste in landfills.

• Choosing ECONYL products supports a circular economy, where materials are reused and recycled, minimizing environmental impact.

• The ECONYL production process saves energy and cuts carbon emissions, making it a more eco-friendly choice than traditional nylon.

• ECONYL fabric matches the quality and durability of new nylon, ensuring you don't sacrifice comfort for sustainability.

• By selecting ECONYL, you contribute to a cleaner planet and support brands committed to sustainable fashion.

The ECONYL story and Origins

Aquafil’s Vision

You might wonder how the ECONYL story began. It all started with Aquafil, a company that wanted to change the way we think about waste. Aquafil saw a problem with the huge amount of nylon waste piling up in landfills and oceans. Instead of ignoring it, they decided to do something bold. Their goal was simple: turn waste into something valuable and create a circular production model that keeps materials in use for as long as possible.

Aquafil’s vision focused on making high-quality raw materials from things most people throw away. This idea led to the launch of the ECONYL Regeneration System.

Here’s a quick look at how it started:

From the very beginning, Aquafil wanted to make a real difference. They teamed up with environmental groups and fishing communities to collect waste like old fishing nets and fabric scraps. These partnerships helped them gather the materials needed for the ECONYL story and encouraged more people to think about sustainability.

From Traditional Nylon to Regeneration

You probably know that traditional nylon comes from petroleum. This process uses a lot of fossil fuels and creates pollution. The ECONYL story flips this idea on its head. Instead of making new nylon from oil, Aquafil collects waste materials, cleans them, and turns them into new nylon yarn.

• Traditional nylon uses petroleum and harms the environment.

• ECONYL uses 100% recycled nylon waste, like fishing nets and fabric scraps.

• The regeneration process saves energy and cuts down on carbon emissions.

Many fashion brands now use ECONYL in their products. They want to offer you more eco-friendly choices and support circular fashion. You can see this shift in brands that focus on traceable materials and collections made from recycled fabrics. The ECONYL story shows how you can help reduce waste and support a cleaner planet just by choosing the right fabric.

How ECONYL is Made

Image Source: pexels

Sourcing Waste Materials

You might be surprised by what goes into making ECONYL. The process starts with collecting waste that would otherwise pollute our planet. You help make a difference every time you choose products made from recycled materials. Here are some of the most common waste items used to create ECONYL yarn:

• Fishing nets pulled from oceans

• Dust residues from factories

• Old carpets removed from homes and offices

These materials often end up in landfills or floating in the sea. By gathering them, you help clean up the environment and give new life to things most people throw away.

Did you know? Every ton of waste collected for ECONYL keeps harmful plastics out of the ocean and away from wildlife.

Regeneration Process

Once the waste arrives at the recycling facility, the real magic begins. The regeneration process turns trash into treasure. You can think of it as a high-tech makeover for old nylon. Here’s how it works, step by step:

1. Waste Collection – Workers gather discarded fishing nets, industrial plastics, and other synthetic waste from oceans and landfills.

2. Cleaning & Shredding – The team removes dirt and impurities, then shreds the waste into small pieces.

3. Depolymerization – Scientists use advanced chemical methods to break down the nylon waste into its pure building blocks.

4. Polymerization – The pure material gets transformed into a new nylon base.

5. Fiber Production – Machines spin the new polymer into strong ECONYL yarn.

6. Recommercialization – The yarn goes to factories, where it becomes new clothes, carpets, and more.

What makes this process special? Unlike regular recycling, which just melts and reshapes plastic, ECONYL’s method breaks down the nylon at a molecular level. This step, called depolymerization, lets you recycle nylon over and over without losing quality. You get a product that’s just as strong and durable as brand-new nylon, but without using fossil fuels.

Creating New Yarn

Now, you have pure nylon ready to become something new. The next step is spinning this material into yarn. This yarn is the foundation for many products you use every day. You might wear it as part of your favorite swimsuit, see it in a stylish bag, or walk on it as a soft carpet.

• ECONYL yarn matches the strength and durability of virgin nylon.

• It comes from recycled materials, so you help the planet every time you choose it.

• The yarn keeps its quality, even after many recycling cycles.

Note: Making ECONYL costs more than traditional nylon. The process needs special equipment and careful separation from other fibers. You pay a little extra, but you support a cleaner world.

Scaling up ECONYL production brings some challenges. You need better systems for collecting waste and more recycling centers. The world still relies on non-renewable materials for most nylon, so switching to bio-based options will take time and new technology.

The ECONYL story shows how you can turn waste into something valuable. You help close the loop and support a future where fashion and sustainability go hand in hand.

Sustainability Benefits

Reducing Environmental Impact

You make a big difference every time you choose ECONYL. This fabric helps clean up the planet and keeps waste out of landfills and oceans. You might not see it, but your choices add up.

• Over 40,000 tons of nylon waste get processed at the ECONYL facility each year. This waste comes from places like New Zealand, Cameroon, the US, and Thailand.

• ECONYL fabric uses old fishing nets, carpets, and plastic scraps. These materials would pollute the environment if left alone.

• The production of ECONYL avoids 4.1 metric tons of CO2 emissions for every metric ton of caprolactam produced. You help cut down on pollution just by picking ECONYL.

• You also help lower carbon dioxide emissions by about 50% compared to virgin nylon yarns.

• ECONYL production uses 70% renewable energy. This means less oil and fewer fossil fuels.

🌱 When you wear ECONYL, you support a cleaner ocean and a healthier planet.

You might wonder how ECONYL compares to other recycled fibers. ECONYL stands out because it saves oil, reduces CO2 emissions, and has an 80% lower environmental impact than traditional nylon. You help fight pollution and climate change with every purchase.

Circular Economy in Action

You play a part in the circular economy when you choose ECONYL. This model keeps materials in use and gives waste a new life. The ECONYL story shows how you can help close the loop in fashion.

Here’s how ECONYL supports the circular economy:

You might ask, “Can ECONYL really be recycled forever?” Yes, it can. ECONYL nylon is chemically identical to new nylon. The recycling process breaks down the nylon into its basic parts, then rebuilds it. You get the same strength and durability every time. There’s no loss of quality, even after many cycles.

♻️ ECONYL can be recycled infinitely. You help keep resources in use and out of landfills.

You also get peace of mind from certifications. ECONYL meets standards like GOTS, Fair Trade, Bluesign, and Cradle to Cradle Certified. These labels show that ECONYL supports safe, fair, and eco-friendly production.

You help drive change in the fashion industry. You support a system where waste becomes new products, and nothing goes to waste. The ECONYL story proves that your choices matter for the planet and for future generations.

ECONYL in Our Fabric

Image Source: unsplash

Real-World Applications

You might wonder where you can find ECONYL in your everyday life. You see it in many products, not just in fashion. In our current collection, you get to enjoy ECONYL in these items:

• Falabella GO bags

• Certain outerwear pieces

• Stellawear

You can spot ECONYL in other brands too. Take a look at how different companies use it:

You help drive the ECONYL story forward every time you choose these products. You support a cleaner planet and show that style and sustainability can go hand in hand.

Addressing Concerns

You might have questions about recycled fabrics. Some people think ECONYL is not as strong as regular nylon. That’s not true. Scientific studies show that ECONYL matches the durability and performance of virgin nylon. You get the same bursting strength, abrasion resistance, and color fastness.

Tip: ECONYL goes through a special regeneration process. This restores nylon waste to its original purity, so it’s just like new.

You may also hear that recycled fabrics are less comfortable or don’t last as long. You don’t need to worry. ECONYL can be recycled infinitely without losing quality. You get products that last and look great.

Some people worry about microfibers. ECONYL is still a plastic fabric, so it can shed microfibers when washed. You can help by choosing items that don’t need frequent washing, like bags or shoes. Companies are working on new versions that shed less.

You see more people looking for sustainable products. Brands listen to you and offer more eco-friendly options. You help shape the future of fashion with your choices.

You see why ECONYL stands out in sustainable fashion.

• You help save 70,000 barrels of oil for every 10,000 tons of ECONYL produced.

• You cut carbon emissions by 90% compared to regular nylon.

• You support a circular economy with products that can be recycled again and again.

When you choose ECONYL, you join over 1,000 brands moving toward a cleaner future. Your choices matter. You shape a world where style and sustainability go hand in hand.

FAQ

What makes ECONYL different from other recycled fabrics?

You get nylon that feels and performs like new. ECONYL comes from waste, but the process restores it to its original quality. You help the planet without giving up comfort or durability.

Can you wash ECONYL fabric like regular nylon?

Yes, you can wash ECONYL just like regular nylon. Use cold water and gentle detergent. Avoid bleach. Air dry when possible. This helps your clothes last longer.

Does ECONYL fabric feel different from traditional nylon?

No, you won’t notice a difference. ECONYL feels soft and smooth. You get the same stretch and comfort as regular nylon. You can wear it every day.

Is ECONYL safe for sensitive skin?

Yes, ECONYL is safe for sensitive skin. The regeneration process removes impurities. You get a clean, high-quality fabric. If you have allergies, always check the product label.

Tip: Always follow care instructions on your ECONYL products. This keeps them looking and feeling great!