Freitag Mono[PA6] - fully recyclable bag: Nylon - rucksack - nylon - and back to square one

The Freitag bags made from recycled lorry tarpaulin are a cult item - and a prime example of resource-saving recycling. Or to be more precise: upcycling. In this process, old or discarded items are reworked into a new product and thus upgraded. Even if they are not explicitly bike equipment, the weatherproof tarpaulin rucksacks are faithful companions for the daily commute to work, the shops or the gym.

The Freitag Mono[PA6] rucksack is now on sale - without lorry tarpaulin!?! The Zurich-based company put a lot of thought into the three-year development period, because the new bike backpack not only had to look urban chic, but also be completely recyclable and therefore recyclable.

To optimise the recycling process, Freitag concentrated on using just one material, monomateriality. The choice fell on polyamide 6 (PA6 - hence the name of the bag), also known as nylon. This material is characterised by its versatility, durability and adaptability.

Although it sounds simple to use just one material, it was a complicated task according to the manufacturer. A total of 17 different components had to be developed from PA6, each with its own special requirements in terms of texture and function. These ranged from a water-repellent main fabric and robust zips to solutions for carrying straps, labels and sewing threads.

We need to design products holistically, with their end of life in mind, and ensure that everything that is recyclable actually returns to the cycle. - Anna Blattert, Circular Technologist Freitag

Efforts to find an existing fabric that is water-repellent and made from a single material were unsuccessful. The traditional methods of producing such textiles usually involve adding an additional layer or membrane of other fabrics, which contradicted the requirement for a single material.

However, as Freitag attaches great importance to its products also being water-repellent in the interests of the circular economy, it was necessary to find an alternative solution. In cooperation with a partner from Taiwan from the textile industry, it was finally possible to develop an innovative fabric that fulfils both the water-repellent properties and the requirement of using only one material.

The new Freitag bag combines sustainability, design and function

The Freitag Mono[PA6] backpack was then created in collaboration with British designer Jeffrey Siu. At the centre of the design is the Musette, a small, detachable bag that is a tribute to a legendary bicycle accessory. This bag significantly increases the versatility of the product by allowing it to be worn either as a crossbody bag or attached to various places on the bike backpack as an additional outer pocket.

Thanks to the Freitag take-back service, the mono rucksack can be returned to any Freitag store worldwide. They are then sent to Zurich and further processed at the IWK Institute for Materials Engineering and Plastics Processing in Rapperswil near Zurich. There they are completely shredded and turned into PA6 granulate, which can be used for the production of new, but equivalent material such as new backpack parts. Recycled plastic that has not been sorted by type can usually be turned into

With the Mono[PA6] pannier, Freitag is also focussing on the shared responsibility of manufacturers and customers: The circular economy only works if everyone uses their products for a long time, has them maintained or repaired and finally returns them to the manufacturer.

FREITAG Mono[PA6] backpack in detail

• Fully recyclable rucksack
• Made from polyamide 6
• Variable main volume thanks to roll-top and folded base
• Detachable musette bag, holder on the outside or on the shoulder straps
• Musette can also be worn separately
• Outer compartment
• Padded laptop compartment
• Water-repellent outer material
• Repair-friendly design
• Dimensions: 400 x 140 x 510-635 mm (Backpack, L × W × H), 285 x 60 x 100 mm (Musette, L × W × H)
• Volume: 14-24 litres (backpack), 2 litres (musette)
• Weight: 580 g (rucksack), 125 g (musette)
• Price: 335 Euro

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