SAN DIEGO – Biotech firm Geno and textile company Aquafil have announced the first demonstration production runs of plant-based nylon-6. The pair have developed a process for producing caprolactam – the main pre-cursor to nylon-6 – from renewable feedstock. Caprolactam is traditionally derived from petroleum, however, this new process will use plant-based materials such as industrial corn and sugar cane as feedstock.
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Geno and Aquafil say they have already produced several tons of plant-based caprolactam and converted it to nylon-6 polymer. They are now in the process of transforming it for evaluation in nylon applications such as yarns for textiles.
The two businesses first announced a deal to produce pilot-scale quantities of the bio-based nylon alternative in January 2020, signing a deal to scale production further in November 2020. The companies are yet to disclose a timeline for commercial scale production.
“Now, more than ever, global brands are taking action to incorporate sustainable materials into their products,” said Christophe Schilling, Geno CEO. “We’re working to build purposeful, traceable and transparent supply chains, in this case for nylon 6, with the goal to provide more sustainable products that consumers demand and material solutions that can help brands achieve their ESG goals.
“The world needs every possible approach put into action to make supply chains sustainable, and making bio-based nylon an essential piece of that,” said Giulio Bonazzi, Aquafil CEO. “Plant-based nylon can perfectly complement our approach to depolymerizing nylon products once they reach the end of their useful life. Together, we share a vision to lead the transition to more sustainable materials which has driven our long-term collaboration.”
Geno and Aquafil start-up pre-commercial production of plant-based nylon intermediate at the new demonstration plant located at Aquafil Slovenia.
In 2021, Geno announced a multi-year partnership and investment from Lululemon to develop bio-based materials for the luxury athleisure brand’s products.
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