Name:
ECONYL®
Regenarated Nylon

Developed by:
AQUAFIL -Private Company

Country(ies) involved:
Slovenia

Funding sources:
Private

General idea:
Contribution to development of Blue Economy: practical application of recycled material

Description:
Description: With the ECONYL® regeneration system came a supply chain revolution that motivated waste recovery efforts all around the world. In 2013, the Healthy Seas initiative was founded by Aquafil in partnership with a separate NGO. The organization is dedicated to recovering abandoned fishing nets from the world’s oceans with volunteer divers. The nets are then regenerated into ECONYL® yarn. Today, ECONYL® nylon is used by more than 1,000 brands in textiles, design, and fashion across the world.
Aim: to recycle fishing nets and create new materials.
Challenges/needs addressed: marine pollution, plastics pollution, air pollution (as a consequence of manufacturing textyl).
Impact and usefulness: ECONYL is long-lasting material, which is more resistant to the external factors such as sun or some chemical materials. ECONYL might change low quality materials used for making various products from textyl.
Contribution to innovation: demonstrated new approach to recycling of fishing nets.
Stakeholders: companies and industries making products from textyl.
More information: https://www.aquafil.com/sustainability/econyl/

TRL:
9. Actual system proven in operational environment

IPR involved:
Yes

Sources:
Document/literature review