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Other companies involved: Aquafil USA
Photographer Credit: SYLKA

SYLKA have been inspired by the changing focus within interior design towards innovative and sustainable materials. By developing EcoSylk, SYLKA has created a new fibre system that replicates the properties of their previous award-winning NuSilk micro-fibre, while delivering on their pledge to become an eco-conscious manufacturer. This new development now replaces NuSilk across all of SYLKA’s range of opulent carpets and rugs.

Noticing that the luxury carpet sector had no product that could truly claim of being environmentally conscious and entirely recycled, SYLKA Carpets set about developing a ‘circular solution’ that would ensure that every carpet created not only comes from recycled fibres but that every carpet they produce are themselves fully recyclable. All that is required from the customer is that they return the carpet to one of their facilities or a prearranged collection point. Every inch of carpet they collect will be regenerated into EcoSylk, creating new fibres that are as stunning as the virgin yarn. The regeneration process employed in EcoSylk consists of separating the three main componence which are nylon, polypropylene and calcium; the nylon is cleaned and extruded into EcoSylk, the polypropylene goes to the automobile industry for injection moulding, and the calcium goes to the building industry and is used in concrete and plaster, so nothing is wasted.

The carpet industry leads to more than 430,000 tonnes of carpet being discarded in the UK every year, with the incineration of used carpets costing the UK around £16.5 million a year in unpaid climate damage, and allows more than 50 toxic chemicals to be leached into the soil when products are sent to landfill. Through careful development, SYLKA are transferring the handcrafted skills of their second-generation NuSilk fibre to this new sustainable solution. With this, they remain renowned for producing high-quality carpets and rugs that have the benefits of being luxurious with a deep, lustrous look, soft to the touch, easy to maintain, and resilient to wear and fibre loss, with the additional commitment to sustainability.