Aquafil unveils technology to separate elastic fibers from nylon

Aquafil has introduced a major breakthrough in textile recycling with the launch of the world’s first demonstration plant that can chemically separate elastic fibers from nylon. This new technology addresses one of the biggest challenges in the textile industry, offering new opportunities for recycling and promoting circular practices.

By being able to separate these fibers, the company can now make use of materials that were previously thrown away. “This project shows that with vision, hard work, and innovation, we can shape a better future for our industry,” said Giulio Bonazzi, CEO of Aquafil.

With the opening of this pilot plant, Aquafil has successfully turned lab research into practical use: for the first time, elastic fibers can be separated from nylon in blended fabrics. This development changes the game for recycling textile waste, especially from products like sportswear and swimwear, where different fibers are tightly mixed and have been nearly impossible to recover until now.

The nylon recovered through this technology will be sent to the ECONYL plant, where it will be regenerated into high-quality nylon that can be used again in new textiles. This will reduce the need for new raw materials and help lower the textile industry’s impact on the environment.