Lululemon and Samsara Eco, an Australian environmental technology start-up, have debuted what they claim is the world’s first enzymatically recycled nylon 6,6 product. Lululemon has created samples of its Swiftly Tech Long-Sleeve Top using recycled nylon 6,6 made with Samsara Eco’s technology.
Thanks to its heavy-duty properties, nylon 6,6 is one of the most commonly used plastics in the textile and other industries, but it has been notoriously difficult to recycle. Working with Lululemon, Samsara Eco has pioneered a new (patent pending) technology that breaks down nylon 6,6 synthetic blends by harnessing engineered enzymes, recreating nylon 6,6 that can be turned back into apparel. More than 90 percent of the nylon used in each of the Lululemon Swiftly top samples is produced using Samsara Eco’s enzymatic recycling process, explained the two companies.
Lululemon was announced as Samsara Eco’s first textile partner in 2023. The Swiftly samples represent the next stage in the collaboration. Lululemon aims to make 100 percent of products with preferred materials and end-of-use solutions by 2030.
