Larger outdoor coalition backs Samsara Eco
After having partnered with the European Outdoor Group last fall, Samsara Eco has now onboarded the US Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) to its Nylon Materials Collective in support of demand for recycled nylon. The Australian recycling tech company has developed a process to break down polyamide and polyester using enzymes. The EosEco system is currently in operation for both polymers in a newly built facility in Jerrabomberra. It is already working, with technology partner KBR, on a factory dedicated to recycling nylon 6.6, which is expected to begin operations in 2028, Paul Riley, CEO and founder of Samsara Eco, told Sportstextiles. It will be located in Asia and is expected to have a 20,000-tonne capacity.
Last month, Australian athleisure brand LSKD signed a 10-year partnership with Samsara Eco and Lululemon is also a supporter.
The Nylon Materials Collective was launched to simplify adoption of the company’s recycled nylon by reducing the logistical and technical barriers of integrating a new fibre into commercial collections.
With the addition of members of OIA, the collective now counts more than 260 brands that will have privileged access to the recycled polyamide. New brands joining the movement include leading names in the likes of W. L. Gore, Black Diamond, Burton, Red Wing Shoe Company and Big Agnes.
