#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

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Recover™ and Ünteks Group partner to scale recycled cotton in knitwear

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ALADIN paves the way for circular and demand-driven textile production in Europe

Textile production can be organized sustainably by utilizing short supply chains and preventing overproduction. This can already be achieved today by intelligently connecting and efficiently utilizing existing infrastructure. At the same time, production becomes circular when innovative technologies and materials are used that enable high-quality recycling. The ALADIN research project, launched in May 2026 and co-funded with five million euros under the EU Horizon Europe program, is creating the conditions for this.

Ence and ShareTex begin initial testing of the ATENEA innovation project to promote textile recycling in Spain

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Rieter sees Barmag integration on track as orders and sales rise

The first half of 2026 was shaped by the successful completion of the largest acquisition in Rieter’s history. The Man-Made Fiber Division enables entry into the growth segment of man-made fibers and sustainably strengthens Rieter’s market position in the Asia region. The expanded Group is now the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. In the first half of the year, initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been realized. The targeted synergies are expected to amount to at least CHF 20 million by the end of the 2028 financial year. Due to the completion of the acquisition on February 2, 2026, the first half of the year for the Man-Made Fiber Division only amounts to five months.