In a world where mountains of plastic are piling up and the textile industry is one of the biggest polluters, imagine a fiber that could transform our plastic waste into trendy clothing...
No, this isn’t science fiction. This fiber exists, and it’s called Econyl®. You might already be wearing it without knowing: swimwear, sportswear, or even underwear. But where does this innovation come from, and how is it made?
The rise of Econyl® and its importance in the textile industry
What is Econyl®?
To put it simply, Econyl® is a recycled nylon fiber, created through a process that transforms end-of-life objects into nylon yarn ready to be used in consumer products. Rather than polluting with new fibers, Econyl® utilizes plastic waste—like abandoned fishing nets and used water bottles—to create a new and durable material.
Behind this innovation is Aquafil, an Italian company that patented this method of transforming waste into brand-new nylon. This is pure upcycling: not throwing away waste but reusing it to create something valuable.
The impact of Econyl® on the textile industry
Far from being just a marketing buzzword, Econyl® directly replaces virgin nylon found in everyday products, like sportswear and swimwear.
- Reduction of plastic waste: Thanks to Econyl®, nylon waste such as fishing nets and production scraps doesn’t end up in landfills or oceans. Instead, it’s collected, cleaned, and recycled to create new fiber.
- A potential replacement for virgin nylon: Nylon is a durable fiber, yes, but it’s derived from petroleum. With Econyl®, we can now hope to replace it where possible, reducing the ecological footprint of the textile industry.
The manufacturing process of Econyl®
Collecting waste and preparation
So how exactly does one transform an abandoned fishing net into a stylish swimsuit? It’s a process, to say the least. First, the waste that will serve as raw material needs to be collected. And not just any waste. Two types of waste can be recovered to make Econyl®:
- Pre-consumer waste: This includes unused production scraps from factories and leftover nylon that no one knows what to do with.
- Post-consumer waste: This refers to used items, such as those infamous fishing nets, as well as old carpets.
Once collected, these wastes are meticulously sorted and cleaned. Only the nylon is preserved, while other materials are sent elsewhere to be recycled in different industries.
The transformation and regeneration of Econyl®
Now that the waste is sorted and ready, the regeneration phase begins. The nylon waste is depolymerized, meaning it’s “broken down” to transform it into raw material.
Next, it’s reassembled and spun into new nylon threads, ready to be woven into new products. This process creates brand-new nylon from old materials without compromising quality. More on the technical properties of Econyl® in the next section.
The technical properties of Econyl®
Econyl®: Durable, flexible, and waterproof
If you thought Econyl® might be a fragile material because it’s recycled, think again! This recycled nylon is just as durable, flexible, and—bonus—it’s waterproof. Handy, right? These properties make it an ideal material for manufacturing sportswear and swimwear.
The recyclability of Econyl®: A virtuous cycle
What’s particularly exciting about Econyl® is that once a product reaches the end of its life, it can be recycled again to create another. This helps reduce the amount of plastic waste while creating durable products that can be infinitely recycled. Each year, about 8 million tons of plastic end up in the oceans, with fishing nets—often made of nylon—accounting for more than 10% of this pollution.
This recycling process offers considerable environmental benefits. First, it reduces the ecological footprint of traditional synthetic fibers like polyester or elastane, which are widely used in sportswear and swimwear manufacturing.
Where can you find Econyl® in BLUEBUCK products?
At BLUEBUCK, Econyl® makes its debut in our swimwear—specifically, our swim briefs and swim trunks.
But Econyl® also sneaks its way into our Tencel collection. For this range, no less than 40% recycled polyamide—that is, Econyl® yarn—is used to create pieces that are both eco-friendly and stylish.
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Econyl® still has a long way to go, but the future looks bright. It’s a fantastic way to merge ethics and style without compromise, all while reducing the carbon footprint of every garment. In summary, BLUEBUCK proves that Econyl® can be everywhere—from underwear to more sophisticated clothing. Because honestly, who said sustainability and style couldn’t coexist?