Over 50 years of innovation
For more than 50 years, Aquafil has led the way for doing business with sustainability and circular economy at the core of its values and development strategy.
1965
Company foundation
Milestones
Company foundation
1965
Milestones
The Group is founded in 1965 in Arco, Italy, where it still has its headquarters.
1969
The first production facility
Milestones
The first production facility
1969
Milestones
The Group’s first production facility is established in Arco, Italy, for the polymerization and manufacturing of Nylon 6 fibers.
1986
Aquaspace and Gardafilo foundation
Aquaspace and Gardafilo foundation
1986
Aquaspace and Gardafilo S.p.A. are founded to produce space-dyed and refined polyester fibers in Rovereto, Italy.
1988
Aquafil Engineering foundation
Aquafil Engineering foundation
1988
Aquafil Engineering is established in Berlin, Germany with the main task of selling production plants including engineering and equipment for polyamide 6 and polyester.
1990
Special Polymers and Tessil4 acquisition
Milestones
Special Polymers and Tessil4 acquisition
1990
Milestones
Aquafil S.p.A. acquires Special Polymers and Tessil4. Special Polymers, based in Ceriano Laghetto (Monza, Italy), specializes in the engineering plastics sector while Tessil4, located in Cares (Trento, Italy), focuses on the reprocessing of fibers for the carpet yarn sector.
1990
Recovery of the “lactamic waters”
Sustainability
Recovery of the “lactamic waters”
1990
Sustainability
For the first time, the “lactamic waters” produced during the polymerization process are recovered by Aquafil.
1994
Julon d.d. acquisition
Julon d.d. acquisition
1994
The Aquafil Group starts its internationalization process with the acquisition of Julon d.d. – an important production facility based in Ljubljana, Slovenia that specializes in polymerization and production of fibers for carpets and for textile.
1998
Recovery of waste
Sustainability
Recovery of waste
1998
Sustainability
The Group starts recovering waste to make technopolymers.
1999
Aquafil USA foundation
Aquafil USA foundation
1999
Aquafil USA, dedicated to the reprocessing and sale of fibers for carpets in the US market, is founded in Cartersville, Georgia. This marks the second stage of internationalization.
2007
Aquafil Asia Pacific foundation
Aquafil Asia Pacific foundation
2007
Aquafil Asia Pacific is founded in Rayong, Thailand to reprocess and sell fibers in the Asia-Pacific market.
2008
Borgolon acquisition
Borgolon acquisition
2008
The Borgolon plant in Varallo Pombia, Italy, is also acquired.
2008
“Energy & Recycling” operating unit
Sustainability
“Energy & Recycling” operating unit
2008
Sustainability
Birth of the new “Energy & Recycling” operating unit which develops and promotes projects, technologies and skills to improve the environmental performance of products and processes.
2009
Hutton & Collins participation
Hutton & Collins participation
2009
The Hutton & Collins fund enters the company’s capital with an investment of €45 million.
2010
Aquafil China foundation
Aquafil China foundation
2010
Aquafil Jiaxing Sythetic Fibers and Polymers is established in Jiaxing, China to produce synthetic fibers for carpets and engineering plastics. This new project gives the Aquafil Group a stronger presence in the valuable Chinese market.
2011
ECONYL® Plant foundation
ECONYL® Plant foundation
2011
The Julon plant in Ljubljana, Slovenia begins producing ECONYL® polymer from pre- and post-consumer waste.
2011
ECONYL® Regeneration System
Sustainability
ECONYL® Regeneration System
2011
Sustainability
Birth of the ECONYL® Regeneration System, a production model that allows Aquafil to obtain raw materials regenerated from recycled nylon waste.
Discover more about ECONYL®
2012
XLAnce creation
XLAnce creation
2012
XLAnce Fibra Italia is created when Carvico and Aquafil acquire XLA, an innovative elastomeric fiber, as a joint venture.
2013
Aquafil Leuna acquisition
Aquafil Leuna acquisition
2013
Aquafil sells its Engineering Plastics division to Belgian company Domo Chemicals. In the sale, Aquafil acquires Xentrys in Leuna, Germany and is later renamed Aqualeuna.
2013
The Healthy Seas Foundation
Sustainability
The Healthy Seas Foundation
2013
Sustainability
Aquafil and two other companies found “The Healthy Seas – A Journey from Waste to Wear” initiative, a foundation aimed at reducing solid waste (fishing nets) abandoned at sea by recovering and recycling them.
2013
ECONYL® polymer first EPD
Sustainability
ECONYL® polymer first EPD
2013
Sustainability
The first EPD of the ECONYL® polymer is published.
2014
Aquafil UK foundation
Aquafil UK foundation
2014
The Aquafil Group completes the acquisition of Knox Fiber, the division of Scottish-based company W & J Knox Ltd dedicated to the processing of carpet yarn, and establishes a new company under the name Aquafil UK.
2014
Waste Water Treatment
Waste Water Treatment
2014
Establishment of Waste Treatment Center – Third Parties by Aquaspace of Rovereto.
2015
50° Anniversary
50° Anniversary
2015
50° Anniversary. Since the foundation in 1965, the Group has concentrated resources, ideas and investments on growth and excellence with the focus on environmental, social and corporate sustainability.
2015
ECONYL® Qualified initiative
Sustainability
ECONYL® Qualified initiative
2015
Sustainability
Launch of the ECONYL® Qualified initiative for the development of an environmental qualification protocol for suppliers. The Group works with its suppliers to make the ECONYL® supply chain even more sustainable.
2017
Listing on the Italian stock exchange
Listing on the Italian stock exchange
2017
Milan, December 4, 2017: Aquafil shares are now listed on the Italian stock exchange with the aim of a circular venture, following a production model inspired by nature and its infinite capacity for regeneration. A vision based on concrete achievements like ECONYL® regenerated nylon yarn. Aquafil revolutionizes the concept of waste, transforming it into a raw material that can be regenerated infinitely.
2018
INVISTA acquisition
INVISTA acquisition
2018
Aquafil signs an agreement with Invista reinforcing its presence in Asia Pacific.
2018
The EFFECTIVE project
Sustainability
The EFFECTIVE project
2018
Sustainability
Launch of the European research project EFFECTIVE, which aims to develop nylon and other textile fiber starting from renewable raw materials.
2018
USA Aquafil Carpet Recycling foundation
Sustainability
USA Aquafil Carpet Recycling foundation
2018
Sustainability
Inauguration of the first USA Aquafil Carpet Recycling (ACR#1) plant, dedicated to the recovery of old carpets and rugs. The recovered materials have different destinations: the nylon part is regenerated into ECONYL® while the others are used in various industrial sectors.
2019
O'Mara Incorporated acquisition
O'Mara Incorporated acquisition
2019
On May 31, Aquafil acquires O’Mara Incorporated and strengthens its position in the USA.
2019
SA 8000 certification
Sustainability
SA 8000 certification
2019
Sustainability
Aquafil S.p.A. obtains the SA 8000 certification, which guarantees respect for the rights of the Group’s workers and those who operate in the supply chain.
2020
Aquafil Carpet Collection
Aquafil Carpet Collection
2020
Planet Recycling Inc. carpet collections network joins Aquafil Group’s journey to the circular economy. The new company Aquafil Carpet Collection is founded in the United States, dedicated to the recovery of post-consumer rugs and carpets. These products are then sent to the subsequent processing stages for the production of new ECONYL® yarn.
2021
Participation in Nofir
Participation in Nofir
2021
Aquafil strengthens its end-of-life nylon procurement by acquiring a stake in Nofir, a leading European player in the collection and processing of fishing and aquaculture nets at the end of their life cycles.
2022
Foundation of Aquafil Chile
Foundation of Aquafil Chile
2022
Establishment of Aquafil Chile, dedicated to the management and shipment of fishing nets disused by the aquaculture sector. A new factory for the Group!
2023
Award “ESG Leadership”
Award “ESG Leadership”
2023
Aquafil has been awarded at the 12th edition of the Visionary Awards 2023. The Visionary Awards are dedicated to companies or individuals who exhibit an exceptional corporate commitment to diversity, inclusion, and women’s leadership in the C-suite and boardroom.