Samsara Eco, a pioneering environmental technology company, and NILIT, the world’s leading producer of nylon 6,6 for apparel, have announced their plans to invest in and construct a textile-to-textile recycling facility for nylon 6,6 in Southeast Asia. This initiative aims to create a closed-loop system for nylon 6,6, enhancing sustainability in the fashion and apparel industry.
“NILIT’s partnership with Samsara Eco is a vital part of our comprehensive strategy to deliver high-quality nylon 6,6 products with a reduced environmental impact to the apparel market,” said Ilan Melamed, Managing Director of NILIT.
Annually, approximately 4 million tons of nylon 6,6 are produced, making it a staple in the clothing and fashion industries. Despite its widespread use, nylon 6,6 is notoriously difficult to recycle, particularly when mixed with other fibers such as spandex. Samsara Eco and NILIT are working together to address this challenge head-on.
The facility, expected to be operational by late 2026, will be uniquely designed to recycle textile waste and produce high-quality recycled nylon 6,6 polymers. These polymers can be seamlessly integrated into existing supply chains, allowing textile brands and manufacturers to continuously produce new textiles in a sustainable, closed-loop system.
“Our vision is to address climate change through infinite recycling. One of our key initiatives is creating the first circular system for nylon 6,6,” stated Paul Riley, CEO and Founder of Samsara Eco. “Discarded nylon 6,6 garments, such as activewear and even car interiors, typically end up in landfills or are incinerated, leading to significant environmental harm. Our goal is to change that.”
Sarah Cook, Chief Commercial and Operations Officer of Samsara Eco, also emphasized the importance of this collaboration: “Partnering with NILIT enables us to reverse the current trend of waste and give garments a new life. This MoU marks a significant step in advancing the circularity of nylon 6,6 and reducing plastic waste. We are proud to initiate a pilot recycling facility with NILIT, setting a precedent for future global collaborations.”
EosEco™, a groundbreaking technology developed by Samsara Eco, is the world’s first to recycle nylon 6,6 infinitely. This innovative process combines biophysics, chemistry, biology, and computer science, including AI, to create plastic-eating enzymes. These enzymes break down plastic waste, such as nylon 6,6 textiles, into raw materials that are seamlessly integrated into existing production processes, creating a truly closed loop. EosEco™ can handle a wide variety of raw materials, including colored and blended textiles like nylon 6,6 with elastane. When combined with NILIT’s advanced polymerization, spinning, and technology, EosEco™ will produce premium recycled nylon 6,6 yarn for global markets.
About NILIT
Celebrating 50 years of excellence, NILIT offers the most comprehensive range of premium sustainable nylon 6,6 yarns, supporting the apparel industry’s shift towards greater sustainability. As the global leader in nylon 6,6 yarns for apparel, NILIT is committed to developing innovative and sustainable solutions that advance the textile industry. NILIT will integrate Samsara Eco’s EosEco™-produced yarn into its innovative SENSIL® product portfolio, which adheres to NILIT’s Total Product Sustainability criteria. These responsible yarns offer designers the high-performance, eco-friendly fabrics they need to create apparel collections that meet consumer demands.
About Samsara Eco
Samsara Eco is at the forefront of ending plastic pollution through advanced enzymatic recycling. Using breakthrough science, Samsara Eco has developed a novel method to break plastic down into its core molecules, which can then be used to create brand-new plastic repeatedly. The patented EosEco™ technology is the first of its kind, offering a truly planet-friendly solution.
The Samsara Eco community is united by a mission to remove plastic from landfills and oceans, eliminating the need to produce plastic from fossil fuels, whether for bottles or clothing, to create a cleaner, more sustainable future. Founded in 2020 in partnership with the Australian National University (ANU), Samsara Eco has secured over AUD $160 million in funding from local and international investors, including Breakthrough Victoria, DCVC, Hitachi, Lululemon, Temasek, Wildcard Ventures, and Wollemi Capital, with support from Main Sequence and Woolworths Group’s W23.
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