Mono Vest - Made From One Mono-Material PA6 - Radically Circular

Mono Vest - Made From One Mono-Material PA6 - Radically Circular

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Design freedom for future generations - thanks to a closed loop textile-to-textile recycling approach.

The Mono Vest VON KERSTIN is a vest radically designed according to the principles of the circular economy. Unlike conventional textiles, which are typically composed of mixed materials that are nearly impossible to recycle, the Mono Vest is crafted from a single family of materials. To facilitate recycling, all components are made from a mono-material—specifically, polyamide 6. This includes every element, such as the fabric, filling, sewing thread, and zipper. The only parts that need to be removed before recycling are the logo and the slider.
With our special return program, which is linked to a 20% discount on a new product we promote the return of materials into the cycle. Together with our recycling partner we are closing the loop once and for all: we can produce new ECONYL® yarn from the Mono Vest and are therefore 100% circular, textile to textile.
This represents a significant milestone on our journey toward a circular economy.

The Mono Vest was born out of a desire to redefine fashion’s relationship with the environment. The project began in September 2022, motivated by the urgent need to address waste in the fashion industry. The vest’s design process involved collaboration with experts in circular economy principles, leading to innovative solutions for material sourcing and production.

By participating in a return program, customers contribute to a more sustainable lifecycle for the product, which has led to increased awareness of the importance of circular practices in fashion. Looking ahead, we predict that the Mono Vest will inspire other brands to adopt similar approaches, ultimately contributing to a broader shift toward circularity in the fashion industry. The project emphasizes transparency, local sourcing, and resource efficiency, which we believe are vital for creating a sustainable future.

For Planet:
We follow eco-friendly practices by designing products that prevent waste and promote circularity. By utilizing recycled and sustainably sourced materials and implementing closed-loop systems, we aim to minimize our environmental impact and protect natural resources. By sourcing materials locally and manufacturing in Germany, we minimize transportation emissions associated with our supply chain, which leads to reducing carbon footprints. Additionally, our use of renewable energy in the ECONYL® Regeneration System further reduces our carbon footprint. We avoid 50% C02 emissions by using materials already coming from the second production cycle.
For People:
Our project prioritizes fair labor practices and ethical sourcing throughout the entire supply chain, fostering long-term relationships with family-owned businesses that share our values. From fair production in Germany to the use of Cradle to Cradle certified materials, we ensure that every aspect of the Mono Vest's creation upholds the highest standards of social responsibility.
We proudly produce 100% of our products in Europe, ensuring close oversight and high standards of environmental and social responsibility. The origin of our raw materials is transparently listed in our product details. Our partnerships with suppliers and manufacturers emphasize ethical production standards, ensuring safe working conditions and fair wages. Additionally, we aim to educate consumers on sustainable choices, encouraging them to contribute to the circular economy.
Additionally, our entire warehousing and handling operations are managed by a social foundation in Switzerland, further underscoring our dedication to ethical practices and supporting the local community.
For Profit:
To give end consumers a financial incentive to participate in the circle, they receive a 20% voucher for their next purchase when they return a circular product to us at the end of its lifecycle. In this way, we increase the chance that the resource can remain in circulation and of course, long-term success depends on economic sustainability. This is why we concentrate on high quality, timeless design and longevity in our products. And with every client contact we aim to educate people about the importance of circular fashion and convert them into returning customers.

#designforcircularity #closingtheloop #monomaterial #pa6 #circularclothing #closingtheloop #designfreedom

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Our vision for this project was to prevent nature from ever having to contend with the vast amount of nylon waste already produced. By ensuring that this material never even reaches landfills, we can protect the environment from further harm. Through an intelligent design and an innovative textile-to-textile recycling approach, we’ve found a way to keep the material in continuous use, circulating it back into production rather than letting it become waste.
To achieve this, we had to forge entirely new collaborations, such as partnering with specialized recycling facilities. These partnerships were crucial in developing the infrastructure necessary to make this closed-loop system a reality. With our Mono Vest, we became the first European designers to truly close the loop from textile to textile, marking a breakthrough in sustainable fashion.
By pioneering this approach, we have not only set a new standard for textile recycling but also opened a pathway for the entire industry to follow. We hope that this proven example will inspire others to adopt similar circular practices, contributing to a future where waste is no longer an inevitability, but a resource.

We believe in creating something new & beautiful from what already exists. With so much polyester waste already produced, our goal was to develop a concept that turns existing materials into something new. This made the discovery of polyamide 6 as a circular component in 2020 a significant breakthrough. Often used in its pure form in industrial applications like carpet flooring, polyamide 6 is ideal for large-scale recycling efforts. With our recycling partner, which plants are powered by green energy.
What excites us most about this project is the complete design freedom it offers for future generations. We're not only creating something new from existing waste today, but also ensuring that the waste we generate can be repurposed. With the recovered polyamide 6, the next generation will have limitless possibilities to design and build whatever they envision or need.

We believe in simplicity as a means to maximize accessibility, which is why we chose to use a mono-material in the first place. The idea is straightforward: a worn-out vest can be transformed into a new one, a concept that resonates with everyone. Equally important is extending the product’s lifespan, which is where our repair service comes in. Our take-back program, offering customers 20% off their next purchase, actively encourages participation in the circular process. While we design for circularity, the customer plays a crucial role in keeping resources in the loop. If they choose not to return the product, that resource is lost. This is why we prioritize education in every interaction, ensuring that each customer understands the unique concept and contributes to keeping our products in circulation.
Also as a company we just started a trial to educate kids in school - if we gain the youngest and can educate them towards a conscious purchasing behavior, so they get from a very young age the big picture and the complex interrelationships between their very own behavior and our planet - we think this is a huge step into the right direction.