Aquafil, a leading Italy based polyamide producer, and a bioengineering specialist Genomatica have formed Project Effective, a multi-company collaboration to produce more sustainable fibres and plastics for commercial use by using renewable feedstocks and bio-based technologies.

With participation from 12 companies, including brands like H&M, Carvico, Vaude and Balsan, Project Effective is one of the broadest industrial-driven efforts to reshape entire product value chains and drive economic growth. One of the key objectives of Project Effective is to develop a more sustainable nylon, made from bio-based caprolactam produced using renewable feedstocks. The nylon will be validated by brands to make apparel and carpet textiles.

“This consortium is an important step toward a more circular economy,” said Giulio Bonazzi, Chairman and CEO of Aquafil. “Together we will drive new waves of healthy industrialization, economic growth, and greater sustainability – better than we can individually.”

Engaging brands at the beginning

According to the two companies, an advantage of Project Effective is the early involvement of major consumer brands, allowing them to contribute valuable customer- and industry-driven perspectives. This brand participation is expected to facilitate broader and faster adoption of sustainable technologies and products. Brands will better understand what monomers, polymers and sustainability initiatives are commercially available, enabling them to develop more effective plans with suppliers regarding bio-based ingredients and materials.

“More renewables in product value chains means more impact,” said Christophe Schilling, CEO of Genomatica. “More and more manufacturers and brands get it; more and more are taking action. We look forward to rapidly expanding the circle of action.”

Participants and funding

Project Effective’s stakeholders span eight countries and are leaders in renewable feedstocks, conversion technologies, makers of intermediate and finished products, major consumer brands and recycling technologies. Participants include Aquafil, Genomatica, H&M, Carvico, Vaude, Balsan, Circular Change, Life Cycle Engineering, Bio-Mi, Südzucker, Fundación CIRCE, and Novamont.

The initiative is funded in part through a grant from the Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking, a public/private partnership between the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme and the Bio-based Industries Consortium. According to Aquafil and Genomatica, their agreement announced in early 2018 will pave the way toward the industrial production of bio-based nylon.

www.genomatica.com

www.aquafil.com