Nylon 6 Recycling via Chemical Depolymerization

NylaNova
Nylon 6 Recycling via Chemical Depolymerization

NylaNova maximizes the use of circular fibers. It offers a one-step chemical recycling solution for nylon waste. It’s novel catalyst formulations unlock unmatched performance and economics to convert post-industrial and post-consumer nylon waste into virgin-quality caprolactam which can be then repolymerized back into new nylon-6.

Solution maturity level

Pre-seed

Current Level

Pilot

Model

Scale

Pre-seed DEFINITION

Solutions that are at a concept level and in the process of evaluating and establishing their impact potential.

Goal Of This Pre-seed Solution

Demonstration of technology at kg scale, providing the data validating techno-economic model prior to CapEx investment.

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Current Level

Pilot DEFINITION

Solutions that are in the process of testing their solution in order to demonstrate a proof of concept.

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Model DEFINITION

Solutions that are working towards de-risking and reducing known barriers to scale.

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Scale DEFINITION

Solutions that are commercially viable with a proven go-to-market strategy.

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Forecasted Solution impact

Impact is calculated over the duration of the solution.

What are the different saving types?

GHG savings

0.02

kgCO2e

Forecasted average savings

Per kg production

3.54

tCO2e

Forecasted total savings

All sites / year

77% Average

Energy savings

Forecasted average savings

Per kg production

Forecasted total savings

All sites / year

77% Average

Funding contributions

The funding will be used to purchase a large Stainless Steel reactor as well as the operating expenses for the reactor. Additionally the funding will be used to conduct an LCA study at the conclusion of the project.

$399,954

Total funding over a 1 year period

Aii Funding

$249,820

Other Funding

$150,134

tCO₂e =

$112,981

$67 industry average

Average forecasted total investment cost per tCO₂e reduction

Forecasted COST PER tCO₂e

DISCLAIMER: These are average projected values, average cost and impact ratios will depend on site specific implementation.

What are the different saving types?

Implementation Plan

This grant project will allow NylaNova to scale its solvent-free catalytic process from lab scale (500 g max) to a 10 kg/day pilot scale, producing 100 kg batches for industry testing, as requested by the industrial partners we are engaging with. This facilitates validation by these partners, overcoming barriers to adoption for industrial-scale deployment. Additionally, the project will generate 200-300 kg of caprolactam which will be repolymerized into Nylon-6 and ultimately used to create a Nylon apparel garment to demonstrate fiber-grade quality (>99.9% purity). This proof of concept will drive broader adoption, increase the Nylon-6 recycling rate, diminish emissions through reduced virgin material use, and foster a circular economy, aligning with the apparel sector’s decarbonization goals.

24 months

Projected project length

Implementation milestones

Build lab scale unit

Deliver 10 kg of caprolactam to partner

Complete updated TEA and Life Cycle Analysis from lab scale data

Polymerize caprolactam into PA6

Spin PA6 fiber from caprolactam

Complete updated TEA and Life Cycle Analysis from pilot plant data

Solution providers

NylaNova

Born at Northwestern University in 2024, Nylanova are chemists on a mission-pioneering solutions to eliminate nylon waste. Driving true circularity for nylon through next-gen chemical recycling powered by our novel catalysts.

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