Recycled nylon is gaining traction in apparel and accessories after initial success in carpets. While more difficult to recycle than polyester, recycled nylon delivers the same quality as virgin nylon. Major brands like Patagonia, H&M, and Donna Karan are including recycled nylon in their lines. Recycled nylon is made from consumer waste, discarded fishnets, and industrial waste. It provides benefits like reducing carbon emissions and landfill waste compared to virgin nylon. Fast fashion and activewear brands are highlighting items made of recycled nylon blends or pure recycled nylon fabrics.

1. Will recycled nylon follow the success of recycled polyester? Up till now, green
nylon, considerably trickier to recycle than other petroleum-derived materials, has
only achieved major breakthroughs in the carpet industry, not yet in apparel or
accessories. But the fiber has gained traction, with yarn giants achieving better
product results and key retailers like Patagonia, Donna Karan and H&M including
recycled nylon in their lines.
This next generation fiber faces the challenge of delivering the same quality and
performance as conventional, virgin nylon. The market emphasizes heat durable
nylon 6.6: the quality for performancewear, casual bags, luggage and sports apparel.

2. Recycled materials became key as the green fiber
movement demanded more eco-friendly business choices.
Recycled polyester took pole position, becoming the staple
fiber. Due to difficulties in de-polymerization, recycled nylon
took longer to develop.
Achievable recycled nylon for garments and accessories:
1. Re-used: old nylon textiles, apparel and legwear re-cut
for new garments; used by emerging and fashion-forward
designers like Christopher Raeburn (discarded parachute
nylon parkas)
2. Recycling: redevelopment of thermoplastic pre- or post-
consumer waste, post-industrial waste and nylon yarn
scraps into spun fibers for wovens or knits
Recycled nylon is made from consumer waste, recycled
plastic pellets, discarded fishnets, old carpet and yarn
scraps from spinning mills.

3. Here are some of today!s available recycled nylon fiber and
yarn products:
- Nilit®EcoCare by Nilit: recycled nylon for intimates,
activewear, legwear and ready-to-wear, launched less than
a year ago by Israeli thermoplastic and apparel nylon 6.6
manufacturer. Recycled products boast excellent color
depth and uniformity, achieved through regular dye
processes.
- Repreve® by Unifi: 100% recycled nylon filament from
discarded fishnets by American producer of multi-filament
polyester and nylon textured yarns.
- Mipan® Regen by Hyosung: de-polymerized, recycled
nylon for a broad range of commercial products by South
Korea!s top producer of nylon 6 fiber.
- Recyclon™ by Toray Industries: recycled nylon 6 product
line using re-generated off-spec yarns from virgin nylon
manufacturing. Developed by Japanese producer of
filament and staple polyester, nylon and acrylic yarns.
- Reco by Nurel: reconverted green nylon from industrial
waste by Spanish producer of nylon 6 and 6.6 yarn for
lingerie, swimwear, sports apparel, and decoration.

4. Benefits:
- Conserves earth!s petroleum resources
- Less CO2 pollution: Tier 1 recycled nylon may emit
70% less CO2 as virgin nylon (GoLite)
- Reduction of landfill waste (virgin nylon requires over
thirty years to biodegrade)
- Reduction of incinerator emissions
- Recyclable at end of product life
Disadvantages:
- Complex de-polymerization processing
- Necessary high temperature and pressure for recycling

5. 100% recycled nylon textiles and recycled nylon blended
with virgin nylon and elastane are available at:
- Jersey Lomellina, Carvico, Borgini Jersey, Tailor (for
swimwear)
- Hyosung, Toray Industries, Solis Fabric Tech, Jersey
Lomellina (for activewear, sportswear and accessories)
- Libolon (for sustainable yet flame-retardant
performance textiles and textured yarns from recycled
plastic chips)

6. Sequoia, launched last April by Carvico Italy, is a warp-knit
fabric made of recycled nylon.
- 80% recycled nylon (Reco), 20% elastane (Xtra Life
Lycra®)
- 190 gr/sqm
- Smooth touch and comfortable fit
- Ultraviolet ray protection UPF 50+, chlorine resistant
- Extraordinary elasticity and shape retention (due to Xtra
Life Lycra®)
- Abrasion- and pilling-resistant (highest pilling value of 5)
- Available treatments on demand: antibacterial, hydrophilic,
Teflon®
- For cycling, running, downhill and cross-country ski
sportswear, competition and fashion swimwear

7. Fast-fashion labels and activewear brands are highlighting
apparel and accessories in all or blended or pure recycled
fabrics.
- Patagonia introduced Recyclon™ recycled nylon three
years ago for its activewear collections.
- Christopher Raeburn: British designer turns re-
appropriated military fabric including parachute nylon
into functional high-end streetwear like his !Pop-Out
Parka" which combines recycled materials with
reversible wool inner layers
- Eco-Panda: fashion swimwear collection in Mipan®
Regen
- GoLite TraveLite™ Collection: Tier 1 recycled nylon
for first-ever eco-friendly carry gear of its kind. Recycled
nylon will replace virgin nylon in all GoLite pack fabrics
for S/S 10.
- Thoni Mara (a sportswear division of Nautilus) uses
Nilit®EcoCare for its Green Fee running shirts.
- Klättermusen backpacks, totes and Fenrir trousers in
recycled nylon