How is Econyl produced?
The first step is to clean and recycle the waste so that nylon can be extracted from it. This includes used nylon clothing, old carpets, fishing nets and industrial waste. The nylon it contains is then cleaned in a regeneration process so that it has the same purity as new nylon. Then the fabric can be made from the recycled nylon and turned into yoga clothing. The great thing about this process is that the quality of Econyl is not inferior to virgin yarn and it can be recycled as many times as needed, so that new garments can be made from it again and again.
The Italian company Aquafil has the vision of closed cycles and has already been able to implement it with Econyl. New garments can be created without using new resources - the most sustainable way of production. For each tonne of Econyl, 7 tonnes of mineral oil and 6.5 tonnes of CO2 can be saved compared to virgin nylon. In addition, Econyl reduces the global warming effect by 90%.
Performance properties of Econyl
Econyl is used in the fashion industry mainly for swim wear and sportswear because of its properties. Other applications include underwear, hosiery and outdoor clothing. We make leggings, bras and tops from this high-performance material. The fabric is tight-fitting, crease-resistant and particularly light, which makes it comfortable to wear. The fabric is also tear-resistant and water-repellent.
Several properties of recycled nylon make the fabric special. Econyl is very robust and elastic. It absorbs hardly any moisture and dries quickly, which is why perspiration has little chance. The recycled nylon also has a slight shaping effect.
Sustainability and Econyl
As already mentioned, Econyl can be produced again and again from existing resources in a recycling process, which saves heaps of tonnes of CO2 and petroleum. But not only that: by producing the material from waste, it can be saved and recycled instead of polluting the environment. Manufacturer Aquafil relies on renewable energy sources and is always trying to make the process even more environmentally friendly. Measures to achieve this goal include reducing water consumption and avoiding waste.
Want to see recycled nylon for yourself? Here you can discover our styles made from Econyl.
