Aquafil and Genomatica to build a demo plant to produce 100% renewable nylon-6

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. 

Genomatica has signed a deal with Aquafil to build a demonstration scale facility to produce 100% renewable nylon-6. The deal is a 50-fold expansion over previous production levels and represents significant acceleration toward commercializing renewably nylon-6. 

Press release: "Genomatica to Scale Bio-nylon 50-Fold with Aquafil to Meet Surging Brand Demand", 19/11/2020. 

Related posts: 

- “Aquafil and Genomatica come together to develop sustainable caprolactam for bio-nylon products”, 26/01/2018. 

- “Genomatica produces the world’s first ton of renewable nylon intermediate”, 03/02/2020. 

Figure 1. Aquafil and Genomatica to build a demonstration scale facility to produce 100% renewable nylon-6 (taken from the video “Remaking nylon – Genomatica’s program for more sustainable apparel and carpet”) 

This multi-year agreement provides the foundation for a more sustainable nylon value chain by expanding a longstanding Genomatica partnership with the European nylon producer Aquafil. The two companies teamed up in January 2020 to produce the world’s first ton of bio-nylon-6 precursor at pilot scale. Relying on their expertise in scaling up the production of renewably-sourced chemicals, Genomatica and Aquafil are moving directly to a larger-than-typical demonstration scale to support initial commercial applications by committed brand partners, responding to surging consumer interest in sustainable products.

Video: "Remaking nylon – Genomatica’s program for more sustainable apparel and carpet"

Aquafil will build and operate the downstream operations of this large-scale demonstration plant at its facility in Slovenia, where it will convert Genomatica’s bio-based precursor to commercial-quality bio-nylon-6 yarns, films and engineered plastics. The produced material will be used to develop renewably-sourced products, replacing traditional nylon that generates upwards of 60 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. Under this agreement, initial volumes of bio-nylon ingredients will be available in the latter half of 2021. The first production runs are slated to create 50 tons of bio-nylon. The demo plant will continue supporting product needs until commercial scale plants are in operation.