Econyl is a buzzword in sustainable fashion circles, appearing on everything from swimwear tags to luxury labels. But what is this regenerated nylon actually made of—and does it live up to the hype?
The fishing industry is filling up the oceans with its trash. That’s no exaggeration. Last year, one study found that more than 75 percent of the plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch — a collection of floating debris in the North Pacific Ocean twice the size of Texas — comes from fishing.
The gear poses a major entanglement risk to marine life; in fact, research suggests around 300,000 whales, dolphins, and porpoises die every year from entanglement in ocean trash, chiefly fishing gear. But there are ways to mitigate the impact, and one of them is Econyl — a material made entirely of recycled waste products (including fishing nets) that functions just like nylon.
What is Econyl?
Manufactured by Aquafil, Econyl is a type of regenerated nylon. As well as fishing nets, it’s made from old carpets, industrial plastic waste, and old fabric scraps, all of which were initially made with nylon. The old waste materials are then depolymerized, which means that the material is broken down into its basic building blocks, before it is re-polymerized again into a new, recycled material.
This process not only helps to reduce the amount of waste in the oceans, but it’s also less energy and resource-intensive. The new Econyl fiber is also infinitely recyclable, which means it can be broken down and re-polymerized again and again without impacting the quality of the material.
Without a doubt, Econyl is a far more sustainable alternative to virgin nylon. The manufacturing process for the latter also releases nitrous oxide into the atmosphere — a greenhouse gas 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide. But that said, Econyl isn’t perfect.
Because the material is plastic, it will still release microfibers into the oceans every time you wash it. One way to reduce this is to use a microplastic washing bag, which helps to hold back the plastic fibers from being released from the washing machine into the water supply.
Brands that use Econyl
Switching from virgin nylon to Econyl is a great choice for the planet, and luckily, plenty of brands are using the material to make more environmentally-conscious versions of their products.
Gucci
Gucci incorporates Econyl regenerated nylon into its Gucci Off The Grid collection, a line designed under the brand’s Circular Lines initiative. This collection includes ready-to-wear clothing, accessories, footwear, and luggage, all made from recycled, organic, bio-based, and sustainably sourced materials. By utilizing Econyl, Gucci aims to minimize its environmental impact while maintaining its high standards of luxury craftsmanship.
Salvatore Ferragamo
Salvatore Ferragamo has integrated Econyl into various products, reflecting its dedication to sustainability. The Pre-Fall 2021 collection featured 11 items, including top-handled totes, pouches, Giardino-print trainers, a silk twilly, a foulard, and a hoodie, all crafted from Econyl and other recycled materials. Additionally, the brand introduced sneakers with Econly uppers. Ferragamo also offered black ankle-high boots combining polished leather and Econyl nylon, featuring round toes, lace-up closures, padded tongues, and rubber outsoles.
Adidas
Sportswear giant Adidas first partnered with Econyl back in 2014 to produce low-waste garments for its swimwear collection. And nearly ten years later, you can still buy Adidas swimsuits (like this 3-Stripes Swimsuit, for example) made with regenerated nylon yarn.
Burberry
In 2019, luxury fashion label Burberry partnered with Econyl to launch a new capsule collection. “We are proud to use the Econyl yarn in this collection because it shows how we can actively tackle a problem like plastic waste and create beautiful, luxury products at the same time,” said Pam Batty, Burberry’s VP of Corporate Responsibility. You can still buy Burberry Econyl jackets from British retailers like Harvey Nichols and Harrods.
Prada
In 2019, Prada revealed a new capsule collection made with Econyl. And, the following year, it expanded the fabric into ready-to-wear, accessories, and footwear. “This collection allows us to make our contribution and create products without using new resources,” said Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group’s marketing director, back in 2019. Today, you can shop some of the brand’s most iconic designs, like this 2005 Re-Edition bag, now made with Econyl.
Stella McCartney
Like many brands in the luxury space, Stella McCartney’s Econyl collaboration started in 2019, and has since gone from strength to strength. In 2023, the brand launched the new Close-the-Loop Parka using regenerated nylon, which, it claims, is the luxury fashion industry’s “first-ever circular garment to ‘close the loop.’” This means that Stella McCartney will take back all of the materials used to make it and recycle them into something new.
Tommy Hilfiger
In spring 2023, Tommy Hilfiger teamed up with singer Shawn Mendes to launch a new capsule collection “with sustainability in mind.” The collection, titled Tommy x Shawn Classics Reborn, saw some of the brand’s most popular garments reimagined with new sustainable materials, including Econyl.
Heron Preston
Heron Preston, a designer known for blending streetwear with sustainability, has also embraced Econyl in his collections. His brand, which frequently experiments with upcycled and eco-friendly materials, has incorporated Econyl into outerwear and accessories, reinforcing his commitment to reducing fashion’s environmental impact. Preston’s collaboration with Eileen Fisher further emphasized his dedication to repurposing materials, bringing sustainable practices into the high-fashion streetwear space.
Off-White
Off-White has incorporated Econyl into its designs, too. Notably, the brand released the X-Ray Print Econyl Nylon Hooded Windbreaker Jacket, featuring a distinctive X-ray print on Econyl regenerated nylon fabric. This oversized windbreaker exemplifies Off-White’s commitment to merging innovative design with sustainable materials.
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