From Fishing Nets to Fashion – How AquafilSLO Implements Circular Economy
Entity: AquafilSLO – Ajdovščina
Country: SI
Website: https://www.aquafil.com
AquafilSLO, part of the Aquafil Group, is a key actor in industrial symbiosis and the circular economy, specializing in the collection and pre-processing of nylon waste that is regenerated into high-quality ECONYL® yarn. Through innovative technologies and strong international partnerships, the company has developed a closed-loop model that transforms waste into valuable raw material for new products, demonstrating how industrial systems can reduce environmental impact while creating economic and social value.
Nylon waste such as discarded fishing nets, used carpets, and industrial production scraps represents a major environmental challenge, contributing significantly to land and marine pollution. AquafilSLO addressed this challenge by rethinking waste as a resource and closing the loop in the synthetic fiber industry. The objective was to reduce dependence on virgin materials while lowering emissions and preventing waste from entering landfills or oceans.
AquafilSLO’s approach begins with the global collection of nylon waste at its plant in Ajdovščina, Slovenia. Waste streams come from multiple sources, including abandoned fishing nets collected with the support of NGOs and coastal communities, carpet waste from manufacturers, and industrial scraps generated during production processes. This diversity of inputs reflects an industrial symbiosis model in which waste from one sector becomes a valuable input for another.
Once collected, the nylon waste is mechanically cleaned and sorted in Slovenia. This pre-processing stage is essential to ensure material quality and prepare the waste for the next phase of recycling. After pre-processing, the material is sent to Aquafil facilities in Italy, where it undergoes chemical regeneration. Through this process, the waste is transformed into ECONYL®, a 100% regenerated nylon that has the same quality and performance as virgin nylon and is used in fashion, sportswear, and interior applications.
The impacts of this system are significant. Environmentally, the regeneration process can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 90% compared to the production of virgin nylon. Economically, AquafilSLO creates value from materials that would otherwise be discarded, while building strong partnerships with global brands. Socially, the model supports collaboration with NGOs, local communities, and industrial partners, contributing to environmental awareness and shared responsibility.
Key lessons from the AquafilSLO case show that technological innovation and cross-sector collaboration are fundamental to successful circular systems. When waste is approached strategically, it can become a valuable resource rather than a liability. This case also demonstrates that circular business models are not only environmentally beneficial but can also drive long-term economic sustainability and competitiveness.
Nylon waste such as discarded fishing nets, used carpets, and industrial production scraps represents a major environmental challenge, contributing significantly to land and marine pollution. AquafilSLO addressed this challenge by rethinking waste as a resource and closing the loop in the synthetic fiber industry. The objective was to reduce dependence on virgin materials while lowering emissions and preventing waste from entering landfills or oceans.
AquafilSLO’s approach begins with the global collection of nylon waste at its plant in Ajdovščina, Slovenia. Waste streams come from multiple sources, including abandoned fishing nets collected with the support of NGOs and coastal communities, carpet waste from manufacturers, and industrial scraps generated during production processes. This diversity of inputs reflects an industrial symbiosis model in which waste from one sector becomes a valuable input for another.
Once collected, the nylon waste is mechanically cleaned and sorted in Slovenia. This pre-processing stage is essential to ensure material quality and prepare the waste for the next phase of recycling. After pre-processing, the material is sent to Aquafil facilities in Italy, where it undergoes chemical regeneration. Through this process, the waste is transformed into ECONYL®, a 100% regenerated nylon that has the same quality and performance as virgin nylon and is used in fashion, sportswear, and interior applications.
The impacts of this system are significant. Environmentally, the regeneration process can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 90% compared to the production of virgin nylon. Economically, AquafilSLO creates value from materials that would otherwise be discarded, while building strong partnerships with global brands. Socially, the model supports collaboration with NGOs, local communities, and industrial partners, contributing to environmental awareness and shared responsibility.
Key lessons from the AquafilSLO case show that technological innovation and cross-sector collaboration are fundamental to successful circular systems. When waste is approached strategically, it can become a valuable resource rather than a liability. This case also demonstrates that circular business models are not only environmentally beneficial but can also drive long-term economic sustainability and competitiveness.
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