If you have seen the word ECONYL on a swimwear label and wondered what it actually means, you are not alone. It is one of the more substantive sustainability claims in fashion. But it is also one of the more misunderstood. Here is what the process actually involves, and why the fabric performs the way it does.
What ECONYL Is and Where It Comes From ¶
ECONYL is a brand name for regenerated nylon produced by Aquafil, an Italian manufacturer. The raw material is nylon waste. Primarily abandoned fishing nets collected from oceans and coastlines, but also fabric offcuts and industrial plastic. Aquafil breaks this waste down to its chemical components and rebuilds it into new nylon yarn. The resulting fibre is chemically identical to virgin nylon. It performs the same way, dyes the same way, and lasts the same way.
Why It Matters for Swimwear Specifically ¶
Nylon is the dominant fibre in swimwear because it stretches, recovers its shape, and resists chlorine and salt water. The problem with virgin nylon is that it is derived from petroleum. ECONYL replaces that petroleum input with waste material without sacrificing performance. For a garment that will be worn in salt water and chlorine repeatedly, that is a meaningful difference. The fabric we use at Stream Lab Core Nex contains at least 78% ECONYL nylon, with the remainder being elastane for stretch recovery.
What to Look for When Buying ECONYL Swimwear ¶
Not all ECONYL swimwear is equal. The certification covers the yarn, not the finished garment. So a brand can use a small percentage of ECONYL and still put the name on the label. Ask for the percentage. Ask whether the brand holds the Aquafil certificate. At Stream Lab Core Nex, we share our material certificates on request. The other thing worth checking is construction: ECONYL fabric performs well, but a poorly cut swimsuit will still lose its shape. Look for separate cup sizing and flat-seam construction at the gusset.
How We Test Our Swimwear Before It Goes on Sale ¶
Before any style enters the Stream Lab Core Nex collection, we test it over a minimum of 40 washes. A mix of hand-washing in salt water and machine-washing on a delicate cycle. We check colour retention, shape recovery, and the integrity of the stitching at stress points. The Côte one-piece took three rounds of testing before the colour held consistently. That is not unusual. It is why we produce in small runs and why we do not rush new styles.
ECONYL is one of the more credible sustainability stories in fashion, but it is worth understanding what it does and does not cover. If you have questions about the fabrics in any Stream Lab Core Nex piece, email us at us.