INVISTA will seek market input and feedback almost immediately and expects to begin product qualifications as early as 2015. After that, the company plans to begin scale up of the new process and prepare for full scale manufacturing.
“If the pilot is successful, INVISTA would become the first new, fully integrated nylon 12 producer in more than 30 years,” said Ed Sullivan, global business director, C12 intermediates. “In addition, based upon results to date, we believe INVISTA’s nylon 12 technologies are simpler and more efficient than existing technologies.”
“Our nylon 12 chemical intermediates were critical to assisting the market during the industry’s shortage in 2012. Since then, in an effort to provide this market with more supply options, we have been researching novel approaches to the production of nylon 12 monomer and other long chain molecules,” said Sullivan.
Nylon 12 is a key component found in many challenging and safety-critical applications, such as automotive fuel lines, brake lines, natural gas transport lines and some medical devices.
“During the last several years, INVISTA’s businesses have made significant investments in product and application development capabilities and manufacturing assets for a growing range of polymers and engineered compounds,” said Kurt Burmeister, executive vice president, Engineering Polymers.
“These investments are based on the company’s existing integrated production of intermediate materials and its polymerization expertise. We are now applying these capabilities to the high-performance polyamide value chain, including polymers such as nylon 6,6, nylon 6,12 and nylon 12.”
INVISTA continues to innovate across the entire nylon value chain. Such innovations are evident in its raw materials such as butadiene, intermediates such as INVISTA’s new adiponitrile (ADN) technology, and downstream products such as the company’s TORZEN engineering polymers, CORDURA fabrics and STAINMASTER carpets.
About INVISTA
INVISTA is one of the world’s largest integrated producers of polymers and fibers, primarily for nylon, spandex and polyester applications. With a business presence in over 20 countries, INVISTA’s global businesses deliver exceptional value for their customers through technology innovations, market insights and a powerful portfolio of global trademarks.
INVISTA