Eyewear manufacturer Safilo (Padova / Italy; www.safilogroup.com) has partnered with polymers and synthetic fibres company Aquafil (Arco / Italy; www.aquafil.com) to launch its “Econyl” regenerated polyamide for eyewear collections. The Italian group’s Econyl is obtained through the regeneration and purification of plastics waste such as fishing nets, old carpets and fabric scraps. The process of depolymerisation and re-polymerisation was used to yield the material, which Aquafil claims performs exactly the same as new PA.

The “Tommy Jeans” eyewear collection recently launched by Tommy Hilfiger is the first that features styles made of Econyl. It is one of the licensed brands in Safilo’s portfolio. The Italian eyewear maker will progressively use Econyl in its other brands’ collections.