Meryl® are now allowed to produce using the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certification utilizing the INVISTA recycled nylon 6.6 polymer. Meryl® will retain its world-renowned quality yarn despite it containing 50% more recycled content.

INVISTA procures its post-industrial nylon 6.6 from their plant in Kingston, Canada. The plant is known for its airbag and carpet production.  INVISTA transforms post-industrial fibre waste to pellet form and provides it to Nylstar for spinning, through its proprietary process. This opens doors to various fashion brands to deliver sustainable garments to their customers. Alfonso Cirera, CEO and president of Nylstar, stated that through their research center for advanced materials, they are the primary brand to commercialize recycled materials that can be used in fine denier yarns for the athleisure segment.

The recycled Meryl® yarns also provide additional solutions which include dope-dye colors, solvent and silicone-free, zero microplastic pollution, and have a natural stretch without the presence of elastane. This technology surfaced from Nylster’s commitment to reduce or eliminate the use of water, energy and chemicals while marketing 100% recyclability in garment manufacturing. The company is keenly working with various retailers to drastically develop collections and improve infrastructure to promote post-consumer recycling of garments made with Meryl® yarns.

Mark Delaplane, Vice President of Product Line Strategy at INVISTA, stated that Nylstar possesses the knowledge and technology to transform recycled polymer into specialist yarns. He believes that this was a win-win solution and is a preferred customer relationship that expanded environmental stewardship while delivering high-quality products to the industry. Cirera added that their work with INVISTA has allowed them to offer their brand partners a new way to transition into a closed-loop solution with compromising the performance, hand-feel and durability consumers expect from Meryl® yarns.

INVISTA’s commitment towards improvement has led its employees to develop some of the most durable, versatile polymers and fibres in the world. It has been a sustainable Koch industry since 2004 and has brought to market it’s proprietary ingredients for nylon 6.6 and recognised brands such as STAINMASTER, CORDURA and ANTRON. They also provide recycled polymers, speciality chemical intermediates and process technologies. Their product ranges from fibres in the carpet to the plastic in the automobile.

Nylstar, an important textile company in Europe was established in the year 1923 on the Mediterranean coast in north Barcelona. They began producing nylon 6.6 in 1950, and have been producing Meryl® yarns in the same site since. They have expanded their business and have gained recognition in the athleisure and fashion industry for its exceptional hand feel.