Fabric
Nylon / Polyamide
Petrochemical plants in India, China and Europe
Impact score
39/ 100
High Impact
A blended indicator of water, carbon, chemical load, durability and recyclability.
Measured impact per kg of fibre
Water footprint120 L / kg
Carbon footprint14 kg CO₂e / kg
Process energy138 MJ / kg
Microfibre sheddingHigh shedding
BiodegradableNo
Durability10 years typical wear
Recyclability50 / 100
Data confidence
highHigh confidence — multiple peer-reviewed or industry datasets agree
Sources: Higg MSI 2023 · Textile Exchange 2023
Figures are cradle-to-gate averages per kilogram of fibre or fabric, not measurements of your specific garment. A typical adult shirt weighs roughly 0.2 kg.
Qualitative ratings
Water useModerate
Carbon footprintHigh
Chemical loadModerate
DurabilityVery high
RecyclabilityModerate
What is it
A strong synthetic polyamide used in activewear, hosiery and bags.
Why it matters
Very durable but energy-hungry to make, and nitrous oxide from production is a potent greenhouse gas.
Water Carbon Chemicals End of life
What you can do
Buy for genuine performance needs only, and repair rather than replace.