Genomatica produces the world’s first ton of renewable nylon intermediate

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Type of post: NEWS.

Eighty years after nylon’s first commercial production, Genomatica achieved a new milestone for the material: the production of the world’s first ton of the key intermediate (caprolactam) for nylon-6 from plants instead of crude oil. With the rise of fast fashion and the ongoing demand for nylon-based products, more sustainably sourced nylon ingredients are essential to reducing the industry’s environmental impacts.
Press release: “Genomatica Hits Industry-First Milestone in Nylon Sustainability”, 29/1/2020.
Video: “Remaking nylon”.
Related post: “Aquafil and Genomatica come together to develop sustainable caprolactam for bio-nylon products”, 25/8/2016.

Figure 1. Genomatica produced a ton of renewable nylon intermediate at ACIES BIO in Slovenia (extracted from the press release)

Genomatica’s technology to make biobased nylon is made possible by fermentation. The company engineered a microorganism and production process that ferments the sugars found in plants to make the chemical intermediate for nylon-6. This new milestone marks the successful scaling of the process. The intermediate is then converted into nylon-6 polymer chips and yarn by Aquafil in Slovenia.

EFFECTIVE project
Several global partners have played a key role in accelerating Genomatica’s bio-nylon program. Aquafil was the first to join the program, bringing funding support and nylon-related chemical, quality and market expertise. Additionally, EFFECTIVE project, a consortium with 12 partners including major brands like H&M, Vaude, Carvico and Balsan, was formed to drive the production of more sustainable bio-based fibers for widely-used consumer products made from renewable feedstocks.

Biobased nylon market
Nylon is responsible for an estimated 60 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year through traditional production which begins with crude oil. Genomatica’s innovation, alongside partner and major European nylon producer Aquafil, will produce 100% renewably-sourced nylon that delivers equivalent performance to the conventional nylon but with lower environmental impact. This bio-based nylon has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a 10,000 M$ global industry that produces over five million tons of nylon-6 per year, to make carpet, clothing, car interiors, engineered plastics and food packaging.

Statement
Christophe Schilling (CEO of Genomatica) “Nylon a terrific material, and now, with the power of biotechnology, we can reinvent where it comes from. This is a major step forward in offering a new, more sustainable future with a better nylon for the full range of industries it serves.”

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