ECONYL® is a regenerated nylon made from nylon waste such as fishing nets, carpets, and industrial plastic. This guide explains how it works, what its life cycle assessments (LCAs) actually show, where it is used, and what limitations remain.
Reading time: ~8–10 minutes · Last updated: 2025
Table of Contents
What Is ECONYL®?
ECONYL® is a regenerated nylon 6 developed by Aquafil. Instead of using crude oil as feedstock, Aquafil sources nylon waste from streams such as abandoned fishing nets, post-consumer carpets, and industrial plastic offcuts. Through a closed-loop chemical recycling process, this waste is turned back into caprolactam, the base monomer of nylon 6, and then into new nylon yarn.
The result is a high-performance nylon that is chemically equivalent to virgin nylon 6, but with a substantially lower environmental footprint according to multiple life cycle assessments (LCAs).
Aquafil’s Circularity Mission
Aquafil has produced nylon since the 1960s, but launched the ECONYL® Regeneration System in 2011 to address the climate and waste impacts of conventional nylon. By designing a reverse supply chain for nylon waste and investing in depolymerization technology, Aquafil aims to decouple nylon production from fossil raw materials.
Key Takeaways
ECONYL® is regenerated from nylon 6 waste rather than fossil oil.
Its performance (strength, durability, colorfastness) is comparable to virgin nylon 6.
LCAs show meaningful reductions in global warming potential versus conventional nylon 6.
It supports circular design, but is not a complete solution to all impacts of synthetic fibres.
How ECONYL® Is Made
ECONYL® is produced via chemical recycling (depolymerization and re-polymerization), not simple melting. This matters because it preserves polymer quality instead of degrading it.
Sourcing Waste Materials
Waste streams used for ECONYL® typically include:
Abandoned and end-of-life fishing nets
Used carpet flooring and carpet yarn
Industrial plastic waste containing nylon 6
Textile production offcuts and fabric scraps
These materials are collected through global take-back programs, NGOs, and industry partnerships. They are then sorted, cleaned, and mechanically prepared to remove impurities like metals, mixed polymers, sand, and organic residue.
Regeneration Process (Depolymerization & Re-Polymerization)
Collection & Sorting – Nylon 6–rich waste streams are identified and separated.
Cleaning & Shredding – Materials are washed and shredded into smaller pieces.
Depolymerization – Chemical reactions break nylon 6 down into its monomer, caprolactam.
Purification – Caprolactam is refined to polymer-grade purity.
Re-Polymerization – Purified monomer is polymerized back into nylon 6.
Spinning – Nylon chips are melted and extruded into ECONYL® yarn.
Because the polymer is broken down to its monomer, regenerated nylon can match the technical performance of virgin nylon 6, even after multiple recycling cycles, provided the waste stream is sufficiently pure.
Environmental Impact & LCA Results
Several life cycle assessments (LCAs) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) have evaluated the environmental performance of ECONYL® compared with conventional nylon 6. Results consistently show a significantly lower global warming potential (GWP) for ECONYL® yarn, though the exact percentage reduction depends on system boundaries and assumptions.
Global Warming Potential (GWP)
Across Aquafil’s published LCA and EPD documents, ECONYL® yarn is reported to achieve substantial reductions in GWP compared to nylon made from virgin caprolactam. Some Aquafil communications quote “up to 90%” lower GWP versus conventional nylon 6, based on specific LCA scenarios. These values are:
Scenario-specific – Not every ECONYL® product or use case will reach the “90%” figure.
Method-dependent – Results vary with functional unit, energy mix, and included stages.
Best interpreted comparatively – ECONYL® versus a clearly defined virgin nylon 6 baseline.
For rigorous communication, brands should always cite the exact study, year, system boundary, and functional unit used in any numerical claim.
Resource Use & Waste Diversion
Reduced demand for crude oil as a primary feedstock for nylon 6.
Diverts nylon-containing waste from landfills and incineration.
Supports collection and recovery of problematic waste streams such as ghost nets.
While ECONYL® lowers the footprint of nylon relative to virgin production, it still requires energy and infrastructure. It should be seen as a lower-impact nylon option, not a zero-impact material.
Circularity & Certifications
ECONYL® was designed to fit into a circular model: nylon 6 can, in principle, be depolymerized and regenerated multiple times without loss of quality, as long as it remains in well-managed, relatively pure material loops.
Is ECONYL® “Infinitely Recyclable”?
Marketing phrases like “infinitely recyclable” should be used with caution. From a chemistry perspective, nylon 6 can be depolymerized and re-polymerized repeatedly. In practice, however, circularity is constrained by:
Contamination with other fibres, finishes, and hardware.
Collection and sorting infrastructure.
Economic viability of take-back systems.
A more accurate statement is that ECONYL® can be chemically recycled multiple times in a suitable system, rather than that it is “infinitely recyclable” in real-world conditions.
Relevant Certifications & Standards
Depending on product design and downstream processing, ECONYL® yarns and products may be associated with:
Cradle to Cradle Certified® / Material Health Certificates for specific yarn ranges.
OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 for human-ecological safety.
Bluesign® for selected processing chains.
It is important to note:
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) applies to products with at least 70% organic natural fibres. Synthetic fibres like nylon can appear only as a minority component and cannot themselves be certified as “organic”.
Fair Trade certification covers specific supply chains and producer groups; ECONYL® as a polymer is not intrinsically “Fair Trade” unless the finished product meets those criteria.
Where ECONYL® Is Used
ECONYL® is used across fashion, interiors, and technical textiles. Typical applications include:
Swimwear, activewear, and underwear
Luxury and contemporary handbags, backpacks, and accessories
Performance outerwear and technical base layers
Carpets, carpet tiles, and rugs
Flooring solutions and interior textiles
Automotive and transport interiors
Major brands and designers have introduced capsules or collections featuring ECONYL®, reflecting the broader industry shift toward more traceable and lower-impact materials.
Performance & Limitations
Performance Characteristics
Because ECONYL® is chemically identical to virgin nylon 6, it can achieve similar:
Tensile strength and abrasion resistance
Elastic recovery and stretch (when blended with elastane)
Colorfastness and dye uptake
Resistance to chlorine, salt water, and UV (depending on specific yarn and finish)
Limitations to Keep in Mind
Microfiber shedding: As a synthetic fibre, ECONYL® can shed microfibres during washing and wear. Design decisions (e.g., tighter knits), wash bags, and filtration can help reduce releases.
Feedstock constraints: Only nylon 6 can be regenerated through this specific process. Mixed fibres or other polymers require different solutions.
Infrastructure dependency: Effective circularity relies on take-back systems, sorting technology, and consumer participation.
Cost: Chemical recycling, quality control, and global waste logistics can make ECONYL® more expensive than conventional nylon.
LCA Snapshot: ECONYL® vs Virgin Nylon 6
The table below summarizes typical findings from LCAs and EPDs that compare ECONYL® with conventional nylon 6. Values are indicative and depend heavily on the study design.
Source / Study | Compared Materials | Reported GWP Reduction | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Aquafil ECONYL® LCA / EPD | ECONYL® yarn vs virgin nylon 6 yarn | “Up to 90%” lower GWP in some scenarios | Figure refers to specific functional units and system boundaries; brands should quote study details. |
Environmental Product Declarations (carpet yarns) | ECONYL® BCF yarns vs conventional carpet yarns | Substantial GWP reduction, typically >50% | Includes transport and regeneration stages; results are product- and region-specific. |
Independent sustainability reviews | ECONYL® fabrics vs generic nylon 6 | Commonly 60–80% lower GWP cited | Secondary analyses summarizing Aquafil data; often lack full primary LCA detail. |
For high-credibility claims on product pages, always:
Cite the exact LCA or EPD (title, year, publisher).
Mention the functional unit (e.g., “per 1 kg of yarn” or “per m² of carpet”).
Clarify that percentages are comparisons to a defined virgin-nylon baseline.
FAQ
Is ECONYL® really more sustainable than regular nylon?
In most LCAs, ECONYL® shows a significantly lower global warming potential compared with conventional nylon 6 and reduces reliance on crude oil. However, overall impact still depends on product design, longevity, and end-of-life options.
Does ECONYL® perform as well as virgin nylon?
Yes. ECONYL® is chemically identical to virgin nylon 6 and is designed to match its performance in strength, durability, and colorfastness when processed under comparable conditions.
Can ECONYL® be recycled multiple times?
In principle, nylon 6 can be depolymerized and re-polymerized multiple times. Real-world recycling depends on effective collection, sorting, and economic feasibility, so “multiple cycles” is more accurate than “infinitely recyclable”.
Is ECONYL® safe for sensitive skin?
ECONYL® is a high-purity nylon 6. For sensitive skin, the main factors are usually dyes, finishes, and other chemicals used in the finished fabric, rather than the polymer itself. Certifications such as OEKO-TEX® can help indicate low levels of harmful substances.
Does ECONYL® shed microfibers?
Yes. Like all synthetic fibres, ECONYL® can release microfibres during washing and wear. Consumers can minimize this by washing less often, using lower-friction wash cycles, and, where possible, using filter bags or in-machine microfibre filters.
Conclusion
ECONYL® is one of the most advanced examples of closed-loop chemical recycling in the textile industry. It delivers meaningful reductions in environmental impact compared with conventional nylon 6, backed by LCAs and EPDs, while maintaining high performance. At the same time, it does not eliminate all impacts associated with synthetic fibres, nor does it remove the need for better design, reduced overproduction, and improved end-of-life systems.
Used transparently and in combination with thoughtful product design, ECONYL® can be a powerful lever for brands and consumers seeking more responsible material choices.