Genomatica (Geno) and Aquafil have successfully completed the first demonstration scale production runs for plant-based nylon-6. They will now advance to produce pre-commercial quantities at demonstration scale which will help determine the final design of future commercial plants.
The project: Geno and Aquafil have produced the first several tonnes of plant-based nylon-6 building block caprolactam, have converted it to nylon-6 polymer, and are now in the process of transforming it for evaluation in nylon applications such as yarns for textile and carpet and engineering plastics as part of pre-commercial quantities from demonstration production taking place in Europe.
- The material will go to leading global brands and their value chain partners who are eager to explore and develop renewable products, create showcase goods and test feedback with customers.
The nylon-6: The material is intended to reshape the $22 billion nylon industry, enabling brands to meet demand from consumers for sustainable everyday materials from apparel to automotive parts to carpets.
Factoids:
- Geno and Aquafil have started pre-commercial production of plant-based nylon intermediate at the new demonstration plant located at Aquafil Slovenia.
- Plant-based nylon-6 is Geno’s third major product line on a path to commercialisation.
- Geni has executed high impact deals with a range of brands to accelerate the global commercialisation of sustainable materials, with the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 100 million tonnes in the coming years.
What they said:
Now, more than ever, global brands are taking action to incorporate sustainable materials into their products. 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.
— Christophe Schilling
Chief Executive Officer
Geno
The world needs every possible approach put into action to make supply chains sustainable, and making bio-based nylon an essential piece of that. Plant-based nylon can perfectly complement our approach to depolymerising 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.
— Giulio Bonazzi
Chief Executive Officer
Aquafii
