B.I.G. Yarns, a division of Beaulieu international group, has announced the launch of EqoCycle, a fully recyclable PA6 yarn with 75 per cent recycled content, offering the same high-quality performance of virgin PA6 yarn. Beaulieu international group is a vertically integrated group producing raw materials, semi-finished and finished products.
The new recycled yarn mainly based on post-industrial waste supports contract, automotive and residential carpet manufacturers with a drop-in circular solution to reduce the ecological footprint of their end products, according to B.I.G.
EqoCycle is made with recycled granulates derived from pre-consumer recycled and regenerated PA6, certified by Control Union for Global Recycled Standard (GRS) Certification. The use of less virgin materials implicates a decrease of fossil fuels by 58 percent and a 27 percent decrease in energy consumption. On top, EqoCycle yarns allow a reduction of 37 percent of CO2 eq./kg compared to the fossil based yarns. The environmental impacts of EqoCycle with 75 percent recycled content were calculated through an LCA analysis, verified according to ISO 14025 and EN 15804+A1 and published in an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD registration number S-P-02415), B.I.G. said.
EqoCycle is the latest circular solution in B.I.G. Yarns’ PA6 portfolio, joining EqoBalance PA6, based on biomass balance renewable resources, which offers up to 75 percent CO2 reduction. Both exemplify the company’s on-going investment in developing new products that better serve customers’ needs in a sustainable way. B.I.G. Yarns fully pursues opportunities to support and solve the global environmental challenges through innovation, investment and collaboration, as part of its sincere belief in, and broader commitment to, social responsibility, the company said in a report.
The innovation of EqoCycle and EqoBalance PA6 aligns with the company’s active integration of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its business activities, creating value for customers and engaging employees and value chain partners. Customers have the assurance that for every 1.000 tons of EqoCycle yarn, 13,562 barrels of oil are saved and 2.700 tons of CO2 emission are reduced, compared to PA6 traditionally made from virgin materials.
“EqoCycle is a perfect example of how higher resource efficiency in our industry can promote greater circularity in our customers’ industries. Minimising waste, re-using materials, and saving energy and carbon emissions in production, it provides our customers and carpet brands with a new sustainable alternative that won’t compromise their end-product performance but will support their increasing focus on CO2 reduction and global warming potential. All part of our wider commitment to encourage decoupling from the need for only virgin feedstocks and moving towards a circular economy for yarns and soft flooring industries,” Emmanuel Colchen, General Manager yarns division said in a statement.
