Case studies
In 2019, Prada introduced Re-Nylon, a new sustainable line of iconic bag silhouettes using the ECONYL® nylon. Given its success, the following year the product line was expanded into Prada ready-to-wear, accessories and footwear.
The project Re-Nylon is the result of the partnership between Prada and Aquafil, which has converted all standard nylon used by Prada into ECONYL® nylon.
To showcase the cutting-edge processes behind the Re-Nylon initiative, National Geographic, Prada’s Storytelling Partner, has produced “What We Carry”, a short video series that take viewers through a remarkable journey across the supply chain of these unique project.
Back in 2016, Gucci was the first luxury brand to use the ECONYL® regenerated yarn. Today, ECONYL® is at the core of Gucci Off The Grid – the first of Gucci Circular Collections. The line includes accessories, prĂŞt-Ă -porter and travel goods.Â
Gucci Off The Grid is an initiative created to support the House’s vision for circular production. Designed for those mindful of their environmental impact, Gucci Off The Grid uses recycled, organic, bio-based, and sustainably sourced materials, including ECONYL® nylon.
Gucci Off The Grid has been conceived to enhance respect for, and responsibility towards, the environment.
Dynafit – the leading mountain endurance sports brand – has developed FT Dryarn® Warm, a warm and functional baselayer designed for outdoor sports at extreme temperatures.
FT Dryarn® Warm is a men’s jacket with an ultra-lightweight and breathable baselayer that fits the body closely, supporting movement and ensuring the best possible comfort. Dryarn®, used in the weave of the fabric, manages heat to perfection, keeping the body warm and dry throughout the day and wicking the sweat produced during physical exercise to the outside of the garment.
Thanks to the bacteriostatic and dermatologically tested properties of Dryarn®, the Dynafit jacket is the ideal baselayer for all athletes who love outdoor sports even in adverse climatic conditions.
Montura has chosen Dryarn®’s innovation, performance and comfort to create its extremely lightweight garments that are ideal for all outdoor sports and are designed to fit the athlete’s body without restricting movement, always ensuring a pleasant feeling of comfort.
Dryarn® ensures maximum breathability and natural thermoregulation in all climatic conditions, protecting the body from major temperature swings, maintaining constant temperature and wicking sweat to the outside, always leaving the skin dry and protected from rubbing and unpleasant odors.
Montura garments made with Dryarn® are extremely hard-wearing and easy to care for. They are also bacteriostatic and dermatologically tested, ideal for use in direct contact with the skin.
In 2019 Napapijri launched Skidoo Infinity, the first circular jacket made of a single material and using only ECONYL® yarn and Nylon 6. Starting in 2020, the company has decided to extend its circular product range, creating Circular Series, an entire family of products made with a circular approach in which each component is recyclable thanks to the single-material composition: the fabric is made using ECONYL® yarn and the remaining components (e.g. padding) are made of Nylon 6. Circular Series offers a reinterpretation of Napapjri’s iconic products: the Infinity Anorak was followed by the Rainforest Summer jacket in the 2020 summer collection and the Circular Puffer winter down jacket in the 2020 collection.
In addition, the company has already started a take-back program, in which after two years consumers will be able to return their jackets to the shop. They will then be completely reprocessed, as they are made of a monomaterial that can be reprocessed over and over again.
Coral Eyewear is the first British brand to launch a collection of prescription eyewear and sunglasses made from ECONYL® polymer. The Endangered collection places the emphasis on recyclability: frames are made of ECONYL®, cases are made of recycled plastic and models are shipped in recyclable packaging.
To close the loop and ensure a truly circular solution, a take-back system is also being studied: frames will have a two-year warranty and after this period can be sent back to Coral Eyewear and Aquafil to be processed for the production of new products.
In 2020, Mammut, a company specializing in mountain equipment and clothing, partnered with Aquafil and the NGO Protect Our Winters Switzerland to bring circular economy principles to mountain sports.
Thus was born the pilot project “Close the Loop”, which aims to give a second life to mountaineering ropes at the end of their life. Through a collection system set up for the purpose, the ropes are sent to Aquafil and reprocessed along with other pre- and post-consumer waste to produce ECONYL® yarn. Finally, to close the circle, Mammut has created T-shirts made of 100% ECONYL® yarn. Over three months of the project’s existence, approximately 750 kg of rope has been collected.