#Recycling / Circular Economy

2025-02-13

INVISTA secures new patents for innovative Nylon 6,6 recycling process

INVISTA, a global leader in the manufacture of chemical intermediates, polymers and fibers for the nylon and polypropylene value chains, today announced the company was granted a patent for a nylon recycling process that could improve nylon 6,6 manufacturing by making more high-quality post-industrial recycling (PIR) feedstock available.

INVISTA has also submitted a second patent application for a process that enables the use of up to 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content in the production of new nylon 6,6 components. This innovation aims to enhance the polymer's viability for future applications.

The patent and patent application align with the company’s Stewardship Framework and build on INVISTA’s commitment to using fewer resources. Both patent and patent application technologies are designed to help producers and recycling companies expand their production capabilities, with the goal of optimizing resource management and offer enhanced recycling capability for nylon 6,6.

“INVISTA is committed to innovation and creating long-term value for our customers,” said Jerry Grunewald, vice president of research and development for INVISTA. “As our customers continue to prioritize environmental responsibility and reducing product carbon footprint, we want to be a preferred partner in the development of technologies that help our customers meet their goals.”

Alongside its internal efforts to advance nylon 6,6 recycling technologies, INVISTA’s research and development team is supporting external technology leaders and innovative startups that are working on their own solutions for nylon 6,6 depolymerization. These companies are utilizing INVISTA's extensive expertise in nylon 6,6 chemical intermediates and polymerization to accelerate and evaluate their technologies. Additionally, INVISTA is actively seeking collaborations with other companies that are developing their own nylon 6,6 depolymerization solutions.

“The patent and patent application, along with the work we are doing with our external partners, demonstrate our commitment to invest in emerging technologies that will support nylon 6,6 into the future. INVISTA is well positioned to both work with third parties and within our own internal capabilities to drive these advancements,” added Grunewald.

About the patents

The first patent family, which was granted in the U.S., China and Europe last fall, covers a method to recycle high relative viscosity nylon. This process enables the broader use of mechanically recycled high relative viscosity (RV) nylon 6,6 feedstock, which historically has been unsuitable in key downstream applications. INVISTA wants to work with companies in the nylon 6,6 value chain that are interested in implementing this technology.

The second patent application describes an ammonolysis process to convert a nylon 6,6 or nylon 6 blended post-consumer recycle feed stream back to hexamethylene diamine and caprolactam, the monomers required for making nylon 6,6 and nylon 6. While early in development, this chemical recycling technology is predicted to have high yields and produce monomers with virgin-equivalent properties based on initial R&D test results with virgin-equivalent properties. Improving the economic viability of chemical recycling processes is a crucial step toward unlocking the future of nylon 6,6 PCR feedstocks.

INVISTA, Epoch Biodesign sign MoU to advance development of post-consumer recycled Nylon 6,6

INVISTA, a global leader in the manufacture of chemical intermediates, polymers and fibers for the nylon and polypropylene value chains, and Epoch Biodesign, the global leader in enzymatic plastic recycling technology, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing the development of post-consumer recycled nylon 6,6.

INVISTA proposes plant closures and production shift to strengthen global competitiveness

INVISTA announced a set of proposed strategic actions intended to strengthen its global operating footprint and position the business for long-term competitiveness. The proposal includes closing its precision machine shop in Martinsville, Virginia; discontinuing production at its Gloucester, England site; transitioning operations to its Kingston, Canada facility, which will continue to serve customers in North America and Europe; and continuing to explore various investment opportunities for expanding capabilities at select advantaged sites, including its Anlon site in Shanghai, China.

CORDURA® Advanced Fabrics forges ahead with launch of next-gen flame resistant fabric solution at A+A

CORDURA® Advanced Fabrics is paving the way for new possibilities at A+A in Düsseldorf with the launch of CORDURA Comfort FR™, its new range of flame resistant (FR) fabric solutions. The CORDURA® team will be exhibiting in Hall 16, A48 where they will showcase how the new fabric marks a significant breakthrough in flame resistant (FR) performance fabrics, thanks to the combination of lightweight comfort, durability, and lower total cost of ownership.

HKRITA signs MoU with Jeanologia and Looptworks to establish the Green Machine Circular Textile Ecosystem

The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) yesterday officially signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two key global partners, Jeanologia and Looptworks, to establish the Green Machine Circular Textile Ecosystem – a first-of-its-kind collaboration to accelerate the large-scale recycling of blended textiles.

Object Carpet tests production of rPET BCF yarn on Neumag BCF line

In a joint project with Object Carpet GmbH, Denkendorf; the Institute for Textile Technology (ITA), Augsburg; and Next Generation Recyclingmaschinen GmbH (NGR), Feldkirchen, Austria, Barmag investigated the processing of recycled polyester for BCF yarn. The goal was to evaluate the fundamental suitability of 100% recycled carpet material for reuse in carpet yarn production to create a closed-loop system in carpet manufacturing. To date, commercial rPET BCF processes have been based solely on rPET from bottle pellets.

The textile industry in transition

Recycling, traceability, eco-design and digitalisation are among the key future challenges facing the European textile industry. The Erasmus+ project Skills4Circularity, involving 21 partners from twelve countries, is investigating the skills required to address these challenges. As the German industry partner, the Industry Association for Finishing – Yarns – Fabrics – Technical Textiles (IVGT) is bringing the industry’s perspective to the project.

"We will become a recycling powerhouse"

The textile industry is now in its fourth consecutive year of crisis, while automation, artificial intelligence and recycling are reshaping the rules of the game. In this interview, Rieter CEO Thomas Oetterli discusses the first signs of a market recovery, reflects on his first three years at the helm of the company, explains the integration of Barmag, outlines Rieter’s vision of the fully automated spinning mill and highlights the strategic importance of recycling. In doing so, he explains why the new Rieter Group aims to play a leading role in transforming the textile value chain into a circular economy.

ITM 2026: Mayer & Cie. Global presents itself successfully at international industry trade fair

Mayer & Cie. Global has used ITM 2026 in Istanbul for its first major international appearance since the restart. Together with the Turkish representative Mayer Mümessillik, the company presented its premium circular knitting machines "Made in Germany", explained its future positioning within the group of companies and held talks with customers and representatives from numerous markets. The response to the restart was positive. The clear orientation of the company, the reliable worldwide network of representatives and the resumption of service and spare parts supply were welcomed by customers.

MEL Composites supports ELA Aviation with advanced composite materials

MEL Composites is supplying advanced composite materials and process consumables to ELA Aviation for the production of its next-generation gyroplanes. The collaboration underlines MEL Composites’ growing role in advanced aerospace mobility, providing lightweight materials designed to improve aircraft performance, manufacturing efficiency and structural reliability.