- Sustainable Queen
WHAT IS ECONYL?
What is Econyl?
Econyl is a 100% recycled and recyclable nylon-like fiber, which has the particularity of being made entirely from recycled waste such as plastic waste collected from landfills and oceans. Old fishing nets and carpets, among other discarded textiles, are used to make this recycled fabric, which was designed as a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional nylon. They are shredded, melted, transformed into a new fiber, to give a new garment. Econyl is a registered trademark of Aquafil.
Econyl can be found in the same garments such as swimwear, sportswear, carpets as nylon, for which alternatives in natural materials are still rare
What are the properties of Econyl?
It has the same technical properties as nylon in terms of elasticity, lightweight, and resistance. It is a fully synthetic material that is resistant to attack by insects, mites, mold, mildew, and many common chemicals.
It is generally not resistant to harsh chemicals as It melts in phenol, acids, and many others.
Econyl is not breathable like many other synthetic fabrics such as polyester and acrylic. It is water-repellent and heat-trapping. It has low absorbency, wicks moisture, and dries quickly.
Econyl is not resistant to sunlight or UV degradation. When placed in direct sunlight, Econyl’s physical and mechanical properties degrade rapidly. A UV stabilizer is often added to Econyl fabrics to improve their strength.
Econyl nylon fiber is also highly flammable. Avoid wearing Econyl clothing when cooking, welding, or playing with fireworks.
It is commonly used in the same applications as polyester in the apparel and footwear industries.
Econyl fabric is easy to care for. However, it is best to wash it in cold water to save energy and avoid damaging the fabric. If you can, hand wash it separately in cold water and hang it to dry.
Econyl fabric is stiff and has excellent resilience and toughness. It is often used in sportswear and swimwear because it is waterproof and dries quickly, unlike natural fibers like cotton or wool.
What is the impact of using Econyl?
It is part of a circular cycle, and zero waste.
The purchase of products made of Econyl allows consumption, fashion, and production.
Econyl uses significantly less energy in the manufacturing life cycle than non-recycled nylon. It saves up to 80% of greenhouse gas emissions compared to virgin nylon.
Econyl helps clean the oceans of abandoned fishing nets, which threaten animals because it requires used nylon for its manufacture. These are recovered from the oceans and landfills, where it would have taken decades to degrade, be recycled, and revalued.
What are the Advantages of Econyl?
High resilience
Strong tensile strength
Resistance to moths, molds, insects, fungi
Good resistance to crumpling
Minimal chemical protection
Cost-effective
Light-weight
Water-resistant
Fast drying
Easily washed
Strong durability
Easily dyed
Strong elasticity
Good resistance to abrasion
What are the Disadvantages of Econyl?
Low resistance to UV and sunlight
Poor pilling resistance
Collects static electricity
Low absorbency
Poor breathability
Poor thermal stability
Low heat resistance
Econyl is considered an environmentally friendly alternative fabric. The question is to what extent is it sustainable? Econyl is an environmentally friendly and sustainable fiber because it is based on nylon waste that is melted, regenerated, and converted into polymers without the use of chemicals.
Aquafil’s goal in producing Econyl is to reduce dependence on petroleum, carbon dioxide emissions, water, and energy consumption. In addition, this innovative mechanical process reduces water and energy consumption and carbon emissions compared to conventional petroleum-based nylon production. Today, you can choose to buy responsibly to make a difference.
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