Digitale creates a fabric with recycled threads from plastic bottles

Brazilian textile company Digitale, specialized in beach and fitness fashion fabrics has released a product aligned with the concept of sustainable fashion. Named ECO, the fabric uses recycled threads from plastic bottles and, in addition to removing waste from the environment, is saving water and energy in its manufacturing.

“We’re always thinking about ways to reduce the environmental impact”, the company’s CEO, Mario Schick, explains. This is how Digitale achieved the plastic bottle solution, which has positive numbers for the environment. Every kilogram of recycled thread used in the conception of ECO removes an average of 60 plastic bottles from the environment.

Additionally, recycling a plastic bottle saves the equivalent of three hours of power from a 60-watt lamp, it reduces CO² emissions by 65% and water consumption by 90%.

To manufacture a bathing suit, for instance, an approximate of 8 bottles are used, whereas a long sleeve body has about 11 plastic bottles.

The production process starts with plastic bottles, which are collected, cleaned, crushed, smelted and polymerized and then threaded. According to the executive, the company has already tried similar products on different occasions, but the quality did not meet the brand’s requirements and production cost was still high.

For Mario, the growing search for sustainable solutions helps to reduce costs on this type of manufacture, which is generally more expensive. “With the increase in production and demand, costs go down”, he believes.

The director further states that, despite being a topic for years, it’s been about two years that the textile industry has tried to become more sustainable in processes, in every respect.

With the new company line-up, in addition to the material itself, environmental care is followed throughout other steps in the chain. The generated waste goes to recycling and Digitale even partners with its suppliers to return materials such as trays and cones, for reutilization instead of disposal. “It’s a trend that is here to stay”, Mario concludes.