Aquafil unveils world’s first plant to recycle elastane from nylon

After more than a decade of research, Italy-based Aquafil has launched the world’s first demonstration plant capable of chemically separating elastane from nylon, revolutionizing textile recycling.

Aquafil began tackling this challenge in 2013 with Georgia Tech University. Despite initial setbacks, the company’s persistence led to a breakthrough in 2022 with a refined patent, paving the way for industrial application. The newly launched pilot plant now successfully extracts nylon from blended fabrics, a game-changer for recycling sportswear and swimwear, which were previously destined for landfills.

The company aims to scale the process for industrial use by building a strong supply chain for post-use materials. The recovered nylon will be regenerated at Aquafil’s Econyl plant, transforming waste into high-quality materials for textiles. Aquafil CEO Giulio Bonazzi emphasized that this milestone showcases how vision and innovation can overcome even the most challenging environmental issues.

A leader in circularity, Aquafil’s Econyl system regenerates nylon from waste like fishing nets and carpets. Founded in 1965, the company operates 19 production sites across Italy, Slovenia, the US, China, and beyond, employing around 2,400 people.