Aquafil Releases Its 2021 Sustainability Report
Aquafil Group—the manufacturer of clothing and flooring textiles as well as Econyl, a regenerative nylon fabric—has recently released its sustainability report for 2021, celebrating, among many achievements, the company’s full transition to using 100% renewable energy in its production processes.
Starting back in 1990 as the company explored the recovery of ‘lactamic waters’ left over from the polymerization process, Aquafil’s pursuit of sustainability has only continued to evolve as it adopted a life-cycle approach to its production process, which led to the development of its Econyl regenerative nylon fabric as a result, and formalized its ESG commitments into the Eco Pledge back in 2008.
Since then, Aquafil has organized its efforts into addressing the five pillars outlined through the pledge. These include:
- Rethinking products in a circular perspective
- Protecting the environment
- Sharing responsibilities through the value chains
- Caring for the wellbeing of individuals
- And supporting the local communities.
“At Aquafil we design better to do better,” says Giulio Bonazzi in a letter to stakeholders. “We are conscious innovators. We think as beginners and act as pioneers to provide unique products and services that leverage performance and reduce the impact on a global scale. We are thoughtful listeners. We step out of our comfort zone to set new standards through empathy and collaboration, inside and outside. We are down-to-earth visionaries. We envision the goal of a sustainable future to achieve it, driven by the responsibility to change the world one choice at a time. To come full circle and create our story.”
Highlights of Aquafil’s Sustainability Report
Of the main focuses for the company moving forward is the further growth of its Econyl textile as a main driver of revenue. Currently, the profits generated from Econyl reflect 37% of the company’s overall revenues, with Aquafil seeking to have it reach 60% by 2025.
To help attain this, the company has engaged in multiple acquisitions and advocacy measures to help drive production and accessibility of the product. This includes the launch of the Econyl E-Shop as well as the addition of companies like Aquafil Carpet Collection LLC and Nofir (a Norwegian fish net recovery firm) to help in the reclamation of post-consumer waste products.
Aquafil also plans to reach 30% reduction in water consumption and discharge by 2025 in addition to being able to capture 35,000 tons of post-consumer waste for new materials. In addition, the company plans to begin pre-commercial testing of new technologies for its bio-based nylon production by 2025.
Other noteworthy accomplishments discussed in the report include:
- Econyl products are now Cradle-to-Cradle Gold & Silver certified.
- 64% of Scope 1 and 2 emissions from five years ago.
- 90% of waste recovered from manufacturing.
- 100% growth in number of female executives within the company.
- Doubling of the available welfare budget for employees.
For a full list of Aquafil’s accomplishments and goals, the 2021 sustainability report can be viewed on Econyl’s website here.
