Polyamide

What is polyamide?

Polyamide is a fairly recent synthetic material, having been launched in the 1930s as a replacement for silk. Polyamides are plastics produced by the chemical industry from coal (a mineral fuel with a high carbon content) or petroleum. This material is renowned for its exceptional resistance, even when wet.

There are different types of polyamide, but the most widespread is polyamide 6.6, known as "nylon". It is mainly used in the manufacture of sportswear, tights and swimwear, as well as coat and jacket linings.

Where does polyamide come from?

Asia-Pacific countries such as China, India and Japan are the world's biggest producers and exporters of polyamide. Nylon, for example, is mainly produced in China.

What are the processing stages of polyamide?

Being a synthetic compound derived from petrochemicals, the manufacturing process for polyamides is somewhat technical. Polyamides are made of repeating units ( a chain) linked together by amide bonds.

Polyamide fibers can be created in 2 different ways: by a chemical reaction involving the polycondensation of an amino acid (the polymer is obtained by condensation), or by opening and then condensing a lactam, a process known as polyaddition.

In the latter, the polyamide is produced by a chemical reaction involving the polycondensation of an amino acid (the polymer is obtained by condensation). In the latter, polyamide is obtained by polymerizing molecules. This is the union of several molecules of a compound to form a large molecule. After the chemical reaction, the resulting filaments are cooled and stretched in a stream of cold air. These filaments can take the form of flat, textured filaments or short fibers for spinning and weaving.

Does polyamide offer any other advantages?

In addition to its very high strength, polyamide is stretchable, which means you can make garments that won't warp. It's also very light and, above all, waterproof. Polyamide fibers are hydrophobic, absorbing very little water, making them ideal for rain-resistant garments. It's a low-cost fiber that's inexpensive to manufacture.

Is polyamide compatible with ethical and responsible fashion?

Polyamide is a plastic material derived from a non-renewable fossil fuel (petroleum) and emits greenhouse gases, so by definition it's hardly compatible with ethical, responsible fashion. Indeed, as a source of pollution, it has a considerable environmental impact, with harmful repercussions for the planet and risks for human health.

Its production requires the use of numerous natural resources such as oil and energy produced mostly in countries that use highly polluting energies such as coal, which emit greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and nitrous oxide. The use of numerous harmful chemicals is also essential to production. These substances can affect the health of workers and consumers alike, as well as polluting soil and groundwater when released into the environment.

The petrochemical process also requires large quantities of water.



In addition to its production, its use also pollutes. Clothes made from polyamide release plastic particles into the water when washed, posing obvious risks as these particles cannot be filtered out by wastewater treatment plants. These particles end up polluting waterways and therefore oceans, causing significant damage to marine life and underwater ecosystems.

At the end of their life cycle, polyamide fibers are not biodegradable. Nylon, for example, needs 30 to 40 years to undergo significant decomposition. If incinerated, polyamide fibers emit toxic substances into the atmosphere and therefore often end up in open dumps.



Alternatives are available to reduce the impact of polyamide fibers on workers and the environment.



First of all, you can buy second-hand, or garments from our Eco x ception selection.



It's also preferable to buy an item with nylon manufactured within the European Union. Workers' health is protected, and gaseous and aqueous effluents are treated in accordance with current environmental standards.

For some time now, there has been a recycled polyamide (Econyl, a recycled nylon), made from plastic waste and old fishing nets collected from the oceans. It's interesting because it limits the impact on the environment and at the same time makes it possible to harvest plastic waste. But it doesn't solve the problem of micro-particles, which will continue to be discharged into waterways every time you wash your clothes.

On the other hand, there are now washing bags (Guppyfriend) that filter microplastics from clothes during washing. This is a very interesting solution that is sure to reduce the environmental impact of your clothes, as it will prevent their particles from ending up in the oceans.

How do I care for polyamide?

Polyamide requires no special maintenance. But the fibers are not resistant to extreme heat, so a maximum temperature of 40° is recommended when washing. Bleach is not recommended for bleaching, as it will tend to turn fabrics yellow and degrade them.

This fabric does not require ironing, but if you do need to iron it, use a low temperature, as an iron that is too hot may cause the fabric to yellow or even melt.

These fabrics dry quickly, so spreading them out will suffice. If you use a tumble dryer, use a short cycle at a low temperature.





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