ECONYL: A Low Environmental Impact Material by Margaret Friel

Introducing: ECONYL

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Also known as "Recycled nylon" or "waste nylon"

Designed and created by Italian plastics company "Aquafil"

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Created as a sustainable solution to reduce waste and the environmental impact of synthetic fibers, specifically nylon.

Material Composition

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Regenerated nylon made from waste that can be repurposed to make nylon-like fibers. Commonly uses waste such as used fishing nets, fabric scraps, and industrial plastic waste.

Production Process

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This process starts with taking waste and eventually turning it into usable fabric. First, waste is cleaned and sorted through which then leads to breaking down the waste into it's original state. Then finally, the regenerated nylon is re-polymerized into new yarn and can be used.

Environmental Benefits

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Most nylon waste that consumers throw away ends up in the ocean due to its inability to biodegrade, which is why Econyl was created. It reduces plastic waste in oceans and landfills, uses less energy and fewer resources than nylon, and can be continuously recycled without losing quality.

Environmental Detriments

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While this recycled fabric is less impactful on the environment than nylon, it doesn’t solve all environmental issues and even has its own negative impacts. Just like nylon, Econyl that is thrown away will further pollute and harm the planet. This waste harms the environment, sea life, and it eventually builds up and creates “islands of plastic”. Additionally, Econyl contributes to the microfiber crisis affecting water sources and agriculture globally. And finally contrary to the way it is described, Econyl is actually non-biodegradable just like nylon.

Potential Applications in Fashion

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Econyl is chemically identical to nylon and has all the attributes that normal nylon fabric has. It is used in fashion for swimwear, activewear, and luxury fashion. Commonly used for stockings, tights, form-fitting clothing, yoga pants, swimsuits, outerwear, undergarments, athletic wear, and sweatpants. It is also commonly used for accessories like bags, shoes, and sunglasses. Finally, it can even be used for trims, zippers, and buttons.

Further Usage and Potential Applications

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Additional to fashion, Econyl is commonly used for various items and applications as well. Mostly utilized in making carpets, furniture, and industrial applications.

Burberry creates collection using Econyl

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Aquafil and Burberry collaborated together to work towards a sustainable future in luxury fashion. Burberry released a capsule collection created by using Econyl made from wasted materials. This collection features their lightweight classic car coat, reimagined and sustainably made.

Stella McCartney Close-the-Loop parka

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In Stella McCartney's Spring 2023 collection, the brand released this jacket made of 100% recyclable Econyl yarn and was monumental as the first circular garment to "close the loop" in luxury fashion. McCartney worked with Aquafil to create this product and promote circular fashion.

Gucci Off The Grid

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Gucci Off The Grid is a sustainable collection launched for Pre-Fall 2020-21 that promotes a philosophy of ethical production and mindful consumption. The collection uses Econyl and other recycled, organic, and sustainably sourced materials. This line also expanded it's sustainability efforts to packaging, using FSC-certified, recycled materials for bags and boxes.

BMW

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Being one of the world's largest automotive manufacturers, it comes with great responsibility and impact. Luckily, BMW's motto makes their mission clear: "RE:DUCE, RE:USE, RE:CYCLE and RE:THINK". They have started using Econyl Nylon to make its headliners and floor mats for the BMW i3, BMW iX and other models to minimize their negative impact.

Prada: The Re-Nylon Collection

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In 2019, Prada launched the Re-Nylon initiative, with the goal to replace all nylon in its products with ECONYL. The Re-Nylon project embodies a circular economy model, where materials can be endlessly regenerated without compromising quality or aesthetic. The collection features ethically made backpacks, belt bags, totes, hats, shoes, ready-to-wear pieces, and other iconic pieces reimagined. In 2021, Prada then expanded Re-Nylon to include both menswear and womenswear. And furthermore, they announced that by 2025, all Prada nylon products will be made with Econyl which we can hope for any day now.

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Sources

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Angela. (2019, August 6). Burberry introduces new collection made from ECONYL®sustainable nylon. Econyl. https://econyl.aquafil.com/eco-design-magazine/burberry-introduces-new-collection-made-from-econylsustainable-nylon/

Beall, K. (2021, March). ECONYL Regenerated Nylon Is Making the World a Better Place. Design Milk. https://design-milk.com/econyl-regenerated-nylon-is-making-the-world-a-better-place/

BMW use Regenereted Nylon Econyl. (2024, August 9). Econyl. https://econyl.aquafil.com/brands/bmw/

brand, E. (2015, May 25). [VIDEO] A Sustainable Business is a Profitable Business. Medium. https://econyl.medium.com/a-sustainable-business-is-a-profitable-business-ca39117981de

brand, E. (2016, November 18). Renovating Your Home? Choose Sustainable Carpets! - ECONYL® brand - Medium. Medium. https://econyl.medium.com/renovating-your-home-choose-sustainable-carpets-f18ad43ad618

CnTFactory. (2018, July 31). Regenerated Nylon ECONYL Aquafil Automotive Material Trends. Color and Trim Factory. https://www.cntfactory.com/2018/07/31/regenerated-nylon-econyl-aquafil/

Econyl. (2019). Econyl. Econyl. https://www.econyl.com/

Econyl: Your Guide To The Eco-Friendly Fabric Of The Future. (n.d.). Www.farfetch.com. Retrieved February 26, 2025, from https://www.farfetch.com/style-guide/brands/econyl-your-guide-to-the-eco-friendly-fabric/

osps-root. (2020, June 24). Gucci Off The Grid, featuring ECONYL® yarn. Econyl. https://econyl.aquafil.com/eco-design-magazine/gucci-off-the-grid-featuring-econyl-yarn/

osps-root. (2023, September 25). Stella McCartney launches its first Close-the-Loop parka in ECONYL® yarn. Econyl. https://econyl.aquafil.com/eco-design-magazine/stella-mccartney-launches-its-first-close-the-loop-parka-in-econyl-yarn/

Pointing, C. (2024, February 21). From Adidas to Prada, the Labels Leveraging Econyl to Break Fashion’s Nylon Addiction. Ethos. https://the-ethos.co/what-is-econyl/

Sewport. (2019, June 12). What is Econyl Fabric: Properties, How its Made and Where. Sewport; Sewport. https://sewport.com/fabrics-directory/econyl-fabric

Sustainability in Business: ECONYL® regenerated nylon. (2024, August 5). Econyl. https://econyl.aquafil.com/sustainability/