Sustainable Swimwear Fabrics: ECONYL, REPREVE, Amni Soul Bio and Carvico VITA Explained

When you source swimwear for your brand, whether through wholesale, private label or custom production, fabric is one of the first decisions you make. It affects how the garment fits and feels, what it costs, and what you can honestly say about it on a hang tag. Many buyers find sustainable fabric names confusing, so this guide explains the most common options in plain language and lists the questions worth asking before you order.

Two Kinds of “Sustainable” Swimwear Fabric

Most sustainable swimwear fabrics fall into one of two groups:

  • Recycled or regenerated fibres are made from existing waste instead of new raw material. ECONYL and REPREVE belong here.
  • Fibres designed for end of life focus on what happens after the garment is thrown away. Amni Soul Bio is an example.

Neither group is automatically “better”. The right choice depends on what your brand wants to say, what your customers value and what your budget allows.

The Baseline: 85/15 Lycra/Polyamide

Before looking at alternatives, it helps to understand the common baseline. Many swimsuits use a blend of about 85% polyamide (nylon) and 15% lycra (elastane). The polyamide gives the fabric structure and shape, while the lycra gives stretch and recovery, so the swimsuit fits closely and returns to shape after wear.

At Mar Egeu, an 85/15 lycra/polyamide blend is the standard fabric. It is a sensible choice for core styles where price and familiar fit matter most.

ECONYL: Regenerated Nylon

ECONYL is a regenerated nylon (polyamide) made from nylon waste such as fishing nets, fabric scraps and industrial plastic. The waste is processed back into new yarn, which reduces the need for newly produced nylon.

Why brands choose it: it lets you tell a clear “made from waste” story while staying with a polyamide-based fabric.

What to ask: which ECONYL-based fabric the manufacturer uses, and what documentation you can use to support your own marketing claims.

REPREVE: Recycled Fibre from Plastic Bottles

REPREVE is a recycled fibre made mainly from recycled plastic bottles. For brands, the appeal is a simple message customers understand: the garment contains fibre made from used bottles.

What to ask: the exact fabric composition, and how the recycled content should be described on labels and product pages.

Amni Soul Bio: Designed for End of Life

Amni Soul Bio is a polyamide designed to break down faster than conventional polyamide in landfill conditions. Instead of focusing on where the fibre comes from, it focuses on what happens when the garment is eventually discarded.

What to ask: how the end-of-life benefit is described by the fibre producer, so your wording matches their claims exactly.

Carvico VITA: Swimwear Fabric with Regenerated Yarn

Carvico VITA is a swimwear fabric line from Carvico made with regenerated (ECONYL) yarn. Brands often consider it when they want a dedicated swimwear fabric with a regenerated-yarn story.

What to ask: which colours and weights are available for your order and how they suit your styles.

Mar Egeu’s Fabric Options

Mar Egeu, a family-owned swimwear manufacturer producing in Brazil since 1971, offers its standard 85/15 lycra/polyamide blend and a sustainable range that includes Amni Soul Bio, ECONYL, REPREVE and Carvico VITA. You can discuss fabric choice for any of its three services:

Mar Egeu prototypes cost 150 USD per style. In general, a physical sample is a reliable way to check fabric, fit and construction before you commit to production.

How to Choose: A Short Checklist

  1. Decide your message. Is sustainability a core part of your brand, or an option for selected styles?
  2. Match the claim to the fabric. “Made with regenerated nylon” and “designed to break down faster in landfill” are different claims. Use the one that fits the fabric you actually order.
  3. Ask about price. Sustainable fabrics can be priced differently from the standard blend, so request a quote for each option.
  4. Order a prototype. Feel the fabric, check the fit and see the colour before placing a production order.
  5. Keep your wording precise. Avoid vague phrases like “eco-friendly” on their own. Say what the fabric is made from or designed to do, and keep the supplier documentation on file.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between regenerated and recycled fibre?

In everyday use, both describe fibre made from existing material instead of new raw material. ECONYL is described as regenerated nylon made from nylon waste; REPREVE is described as recycled fibre made mainly from plastic bottles.

Do sustainable fabrics cost more than the standard blend?

They can be priced differently. Ask your manufacturer for a quote for each fabric you are considering.

Can I use both standard and sustainable fabrics in one collection?

Many brands do, for example using a sustainable fabric for selected styles. Discuss your plan with your manufacturer before ordering.

How should I describe sustainable fabric on my product pages?

Be specific and factual: name the fabric and say what it is made from or designed to do. Avoid broad claims you cannot support with documentation.

Which fabrics does Mar Egeu offer?

The standard 85/15 lycra/polyamide blend, plus Amni Soul Bio, ECONYL, REPREVE and Carvico VITA.

Talk to Mar Egeu

If you are planning a swimwear collection and want to compare standard and sustainable fabric options, contact Mar Egeu with your quantities and the service you are interested in.