Aquafil S.p.A.

Website

https://www.aquafil.com

Basic Information

Aquafil S.p.A., headquartered in Arco, Italy, has been a leading player in the production of Polyamide 6 for over 50 years. The company operates globally and is recognized for its significant role in advancing the circular economy within the textile sector. Aquafil’s core business areas include the manufacture of nylon yarn for clothing and carpets, engineering and technology services, and the production of polymers for plastic molding. Notably, Aquafil is the creator of ECONYL®, a regenerated nylon made from waste materials, which is widely used by major fashion brands and in flooring solutions. The company is deeply committed to sustainability, continuously investing in research and development to promote eco-design, recycling initiatives, and partnerships that foster a more circular and responsible supply chain. (Source: https://www.aquafil.com)

Awards

Aquafil S.p.A. has received multiple awards for its sustainability and innovation efforts. Notable recognitions include:

• The SMAU Innovation Award for their ECONYL® Regeneration System, Italy’s leading innovation trade fair recognition (2024).
• Inclusion in the ESG Identity Corporate Index 2024 by EticaNews, which honors companies with exceptional sustainability commitment and vision.
• Ranked for the third consecutive year among ‘Italy’s Most Climate-Conscious Companies’ by Corriere della Sera, Pianeta 2030, and Statista, reflecting outstanding progress in reducing CO2 emissions relative to turnover.
• Awarded the EcoVadis Silver Medal for sustainability performance, placing Aquafil among the top 15% of rated companies globally (2024).
• Honorable awards for the ECONYL® brand and customer collaborations, such as the Best of NeoCon Gold award for the Tocco Collection by pba made with ECONYL®, and recognition for innovative circular projects in partnership with brands like Stone Island and Curry Brand.

Sources:

• Aquafil 2024 Sustainability Report, pp. 22-24, 71, 88, 120-121 [https://www.aquafil.com/assets/uploads/AQUAFIL_SUST-REPORT_2024_ENG.pdf]
• Aquafil magazine and news releases [https://www.aquafil.com/magazine/esg/]

Certifications

Aquafil S.p.A. maintains a comprehensive set of internationally recognized certifications in environmental, quality, social, and governance aspects, including:

• ISO 14001: Environmental Management System (11/13 production facilities certified as of 2024)
• ISO 50001: Energy Management System (8/13 facilities certified)
• ISO 9001: Quality Management System (12/13 facilities certified)
• ISO 45001: Occupational Health & Safety (8/13 facilities certified)
• SA 8000: Social Accountability (8/10 facilities certified; additional certifications in progress, especially in Asia)
• UNI/PdR 125:2022: Italian Gender Equality Certification (all three Italian production sites certified in 2024)
• Product certifications, including REACH, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, Cradle to Cradle Material Health Gold & Silver, ECO Passport (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals), and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for ECONYL®.

All certifications are listed and updated on the company website disclosures.

Sources:

• Aquafil 2024 Sustainability Report, pp. 119-121, and appendix [https://www.aquafil.com/assets/uploads/AQUAFIL_SUST-REPORT_2024_ENG.pdf]
• List of certifications at Aquafil [https://www.aquafil.com/assets/uploads/AQUAFIL_SUST-REPORT_2024_ENG.pdf]

Key Features

Aquafil S.p.A. is a leader in the production of Polyamide 6 (Nylon 6) and is globally recognized for pioneering circular economy practices within the textile sector. Its key capabilities and features include:

1. Product Lines: Major supplier of nylon yarns for clothing, sportswear, and especially carpets, serving international fashion brands (such as Prada, Burberry, and Gucci) and a broad array of carpet manufacturers spanning automotive, residential, and commercial sectors.
2. Circular Innovation: Renowned for its circular business model. The ECONYL® Regeneration System transforms pre- and post-consumer nylon waste into high-quality regenerated nylon, promoting sustainability and resource efficiency in the textile and fiber industries.
3. Polymers and Engineering: Produces polymers for plastic molding (used in fashion accessories and furniture) and provides engineering solutions and equipment.
4. Sustainability Leadership: Strong emphasis on ESG commitment, annual sustainability reports, and multiple certifications, aiming to build a fully circular supply chain by collaborating with customers and investing in eco-design projects—such as dismantlable and recyclable carpets (Born R2R initiative).
5. Research & Development: Continuous investment in developing circular processes, innovative production technologies, and sustainable products, including partnerships for applications like 3D printing and advanced automotive materials.

(Source: https://www.aquafil.com/)

Featured Products

According to Aquafil S.p.A.’s official website (https://www.aquafil.com/), the company is a leader in producing Polyamide 6 and is a pioneer in sustainable, circular solutions for the textile industry. Its main feature products and areas include:

1. ECONYL® Regenerated Nylon – Flagship product used widely in fashion (Prada, Burberry, Gucci), carpets, and various textiles. Produced from recycled materials such as fishing nets, fabric scraps, and industrial plastic, maintaining the same quality and performance as standard nylon. Source
2. Carpet Yarn – Top global supplier of high quality Bulk Continuous Filament (BCF) yarn for carpets, serving automotive, residential, luxury, and commercial sectors. Source
3. Textile Yarn – Supplies nylon yarns for apparel, fashion, and sportswear brands, with a focus on sustainability. Source
4. Polymers for Plastic Molding – Produces polymers for use in plastic molding, e.g. in manufacturing fashion accessories (glasses frames) and furniture (chairs, lamps). Source
5. Engineering Solutions – Aquafil Engineering provides high-quality engineering, equipment, and services supporting the textile and industrial sectors. Source
6. Circular Carpets (R2R Project) – The ‘Born Regenerated to be Regenerable’ initiative engages customers in co-designing dismantlable and recyclable carpets, reinforcing Aquafil’s leadership in circular product design. Source

Product innovation and sustainability are core focuses, setting Aquafil apart as a global supplier of advanced materials designed for a circular economy.

(Source: https://www.aquafil.com/)

Marketing Focus

Aquafil S.p.A. is highly focused on sustainability and circularity as the core of its marketing strategy. The company positions itself as a pioneer in the use of recycled materials, especially through its proprietary ECONYL® Regeneration System, which transforms nylon waste such as fishing nets, fabric scraps, and carpet flooring into premium regenerated nylon products. This sustainable approach offers a significant environmental advantage and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, making it an attractive partner for brands sharing similar values. Aquafil’s marketing is also directed at high-end segments to maintain a premium positioning, with a strong emphasis on innovation, R&D, and the development of products and solutions that meet the evolving demands of eco-conscious customers.

Target audience:

1. Flooring manufacturers and textile producers that require high-quality, sustainable nylon fibers (specifically for carpet flooring, fashion, swimwear, and sportswear applications).
2. Global brands in luxury fashion and design that seek eco-friendly materials (e.g., Prada, Gucci, Burberry have been cited as partners for the use of ECONYL® yarn).
3. Industrial partners involved in engineering plastics (compounders and molding companies) who value sustainable supply chains.
4. Stakeholders sharing an environmental vision: Aquafil collaborates across its supply chain with clients and suppliers who prioritize circularity and sustainability.

Key marketing pillars: Highlighting circular economy, sustainable product lifecycle, premium quality, co-innovation with partners, and measurable environmental benefits. The company also supports local communities, employee well-being, and shared responsibility across the entire value chain.

(Source: Aquafil Corporate Presentation, https://www.aquafil.com/assets/uploads/presentations_2021-880.pdf)

Technical Strength

Aquafil S.p.A. demonstrates significant technical strength and competitiveness rooted in pioneering circular economy practices, innovation in product development, and environmental leadership within the synthetic fibers and polymers industry. The company’s core technological asset is the ECONYL® Regeneration System, an advanced process launched in 2011 that transforms pre- and post-consumer waste (like old carpets, fishing nets, and textile scraps) into regenerated nylon. This closed-loop, chemical recycling technology allows nylon to be continuously recycled without loss of quality, cementing Aquafil’s global leadership in sustainable yarn production. ECONYL® has become a recognized ingredient for more than 1,900 brands worldwide and accounted for 54.8% of Aquafil’s total fiber sales in 2024, with a target of 60% by 2025.

To maintain its technological leadership, Aquafil continues to invest in research and development (R&D), allocating €8.2 million in 2024 (1.5% of sales), with projects beyond ECONYL®, such as improving recycling technologies for multilayer carpets and chemical recycling of PET plastics. The company standardizes and measures environmental performance rigorously—evidenced by life cycle assessments, product certifications (OEKO-TEX, Cradle to Cradle, ECO Passport, REACH compliance), and international standards development (e.g., contributing to ISO 4484-2 for microplastics measurement).

Aquafil’s value proposition is strengthened by:

• High vertical integration in waste collection, with in-house and global partnerships (e.g., Healthy Seas, Nofir, Atando Cabos)
• Advanced digitalization in production and quality control
• Diverse product applications (carpet yarn, clothing yarn, engineering plastics)
• Recognized ESG performance, including a Sustainalytics Risk Score of 11.3 (low risk), EcoVadis silver medal, and inclusion in ESG Identity Corporate Index 2024

The company’s technical and organizational robustness is supported by an integrated management system (ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 50001, SA 8000), strong ESG governance (dedicated committees and clear executive responsibility), and a skilled R&D workforce. Recent technical milestones include:

• The MAGRITTE project, developing 3D printable, recyclable materials from ECONYL®
• New pilot plants for chemical recycling of PET and innovative separation technologies for carpets
• Circular design partnerships in sectors such as aquaculture (first fully recyclable fishing nets) and marine industry carpets

Through this multifaceted innovation, rigorous process management, and commitment to circularity, Aquafil sustains a unique competitive advantage among global synthetic fiber producers.

Source: Aquafil S.p.A. 2024 Consolidated Sustainability Statement (https://www.aquafil.com/assets/uploads/AQUAFIL_SUST-REPORT_2024_ENG.pdf)

Environment / Society / Governance

Aquafil S.p.A. demonstrates a comprehensive and measurable commitment to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) across its operations and strategy. Below are key highlights based on their 2024 Sustainability Report:

Environment:

• ECONYL® Regeneration System transforms waste (e.g., old carpets, fishing nets) into regenerated nylon, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and minimizing waste.
• In 2024, 92.3% of electricity purchased came from renewable sources, and 54.8% of all fibre sales were from ECONYL® products.
• The company collected 19,000 tons of post-consumer waste in 2024 and targets 35,000 tons by 2025.
• Significant investments in R&D (1.5% of revenue, or €8.2 million in 2024) focused on circularity, recycling technologies, and eco-design.
• All plants are progressing toward ISO 14001 (environment), ISO 50001 (energy), and ISO 45001 (safety) certification. Water management policies include dedicated teams to optimize consumption, and biodiversity impact assessments are conducted for major plants.
• Main ESG CapEx investments in 2024 were €15.9 million (47% of total CapEx), with OpEx investments of €15.2 million (~3% of sales).

Society:

• Employs 2,390 people across 13 countries, with an emphasis on equity, inclusion (44% female Board Directors), safety, and training (33,000 hours in 2024).
• 93.5% of staff are on permanent contracts, and 100% of Italian plants are certified for gender equality (UNI / PdR 125).
• About 600 hours of employee volunteering were provided in Italy.
• Strong programs for gender pay equity and diversity, with the explicit target of 20% women in top/senior management and at least 50% of employees trained on DE&I.
• Value chain includes over 4,500 suppliers. In 2024, a project with EcoVadis was launched to map ESG risks across the supply chain, with corrective action planned for critical partners.
• Support for local communities through education, scholarships, charitable donations, partnerships (e.g., Healthy Seas), and projects to promote environmental awareness and inclusiveness.

Governance:

• ESG is fully integrated into governance structures: the Board oversees strategy through dedicated committees (Control, Risks & Sustainability; ESG), and the ESG Policy is approved and supervised at the highest levels.
• The Group’s remuneration policy aligns part of management compensation (short- and long-term) to ESG performance and targets (e.g., ECONYL® sales, waste collection).
• Robust internal control, risk management, and whistleblowing system. No fines or penalties were incurred for non-compliance or corruption in 2024.
• Received several recognitions, including a silver medal from EcoVadis (top 15% of companies), SMAU Innovation Award, and listing in major climate-conscious company benchmarks.
• Aligns with international benchmarks (UN SDGs, Global Compact, Paris Agreement) and adopts due diligence processes in accordance with EU and Italian law.

Source: Aquafil S.p.A., ‘Consolidated Sustainability Statement 2024 – English Version.’ https://www.aquafil.com/assets/uploads/AQUAFIL_SUST-REPORT_2024_ENG.pdf

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