#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

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Industrial scale meets verified governance: RE&UP is now B Corp™ certified

RE&UP, the circular-tech transforming global textile waste into high-volume Next-Gen materials, has officially become a Certified B Corporation™. The milestone establishes the industrial recycler among a select group of manufacturing infrastructure providers verified as meeting B Lab Standards for social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

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

Recover(TM), a global producer of low‐impact, high‐quality recycled cotton fiber, announces a new partnership with Ünteks Group, a vertically integrated textile manufacturer based in Turkey. The collaboration focuses on the development of circular knit fabrics and garments, combining Recover’s recycled cotton fiber with Ünteks Group’s integrated capabilities across knitting, dyeing, printing, and garment production.

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

Ence and ShareTex are making progress on the Atenea R&D project, which aims to develop a complete value chain for textile recycling in Spain. Specifically, the goal of the ATENEA project—which is funded by the Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI)—is to connect all the necessary stages for the recovery of textile waste, from collection and management, through recycling and transformation into new raw materials, to their incorporation into new textile products.

C&S strengthens its governance to support its evolution

C&S announces the appointment of Marco Lucietti to its Board of Directors. With extensive international experience across the textile and denim industries, Lucietti will work alongside CEO Federico Corneli, contributing to the company’s managerial development, organizational structure and long-term strategic direction.