Solvay’s recyclable polyamide yarn bags innovation awards
December 12, 2014 - Belgium
Biodegradable yarn Amni Soul Eco and its bioactive mineral yarn Emana, by Solvay, a Belgian chemical company, have bagged many innovation awards in 2014, recognizing their high value-added benefits to the environment and to its wearers.
Amni Soul Eco, the world’s first biodegradable polyamide 6.6 yarn, won the Kurt Politzer Technology award, which was announced during the Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Chemical Industry Association (ABIQUIM). The innovation also won the ECO award from the American Chamber of Commerce, in the Products and Services category, Sustainability Practices.
Thanks to the innovative formulation of Amni Soul Eco, polyamide textiles can decompose in merely three years after having been discarded, while traditional polyamide fibres take decades to decompose. Amni Soul Eco was launched in mid-2014. The yarn is 100 per cent recyclable and has the internationally recognized Oeko-tex certificate (standard 100, class 1), being safe for use in adult, child, and baby apparel, Solvay said in a statement.
Emana technology in denim, or jeans, was among the winners of the international ICIS Innovation Awards 2014 in London, with the category Best Product Innovation. Emana is a polyamide yarn with bioactive minerals that benefit the body and skin.
Several independent university and research institute studies have shown that the yarn increases the elasticity of the skin and reduces signs of cellulite. In sportswear, Emana® helps athletes to reduce muscle fatigue and to recover faster. The latest Emana® business segment is denim. The benefits of Emana based textiles are permanent, regardless of the number of washings, according to reports.
Francisco Ferraroli, president of Solvay’s global business unit, Fibras, based in Brazil said, “As the world’s first biodegradable polyamide fibre, Amni Soul Eco is a breakthrough in the textile industry and clearly shows our commitment in creating solutions that benefit the environment and the future generations.”
Established in 1863, Brussels-based Solvay assists industries in finding and implementing more responsible and value-creating solutions. It serves many markets, varying from energy and the environment to automotive and aeronautics or electricity and electronics. With a manpower of about 29,400 people in 56 countries, the company generated 9.9 billion € in net sales in 2013. (GK)