Cathay to begin bio-based polyamides production

20 Aug '16

3 min read

Cathay Industrial Biotech, a leading privately-held industrial biotechnology company focused on producing specialty bio-based chemicals, has announced a ground-breaking and agreement signing to initiate a significant expansion in their production capability for bio-produced long chain dibasic acids (LCDA) and ground-breaking of production facility for bio-pentanediamine (DN5), and bio-polyamide (bio-PA).

Currently, Cathay has production assets in Jinxiang, Shandong province with a production line of LCDA, multi-thousand tons of DN5 and bio-PA.

The new production facility in Wusu, Xinjiang province is anticipated to provide a significant expansion to LCDA production plus an additional 500 kilotons (KT) of PDA, 1,000 KT of polyamide 56, and 150 KT of long chain polyamides.

The initial phase of the project, expected to cost over $500 million, is likely to be completed by May 2017. It will provide 50 KT of DN5, 100 KT of bio-PA and double the current capacity for LCDA.

After over a decade of research, Cathay is the first in the world to commercialise a new bio-based monomer of polyamides for the textile and engineering polymer market. DN5 is produced by Cathay by converting starch from natural biological sources, including biomass.

This new technology reduces both dependence upon oil and environmental impact in the production of polyamides. It has also been recognised and affirmed for rapid development by many governmental and technology associations including the China Ministry of Industry, the China Textile Association, the China Chemical Fiber Association among others. These new technologies have also been recognised as China's 'Strategic Emerging Industries'.

Cathay's trademarks for new polyamides, Terryl and Ecopent, deliver a unique softness, inherent flame retardance, good moisture absorption, high strength and wearability, plus ease of dyeing and spinning. These features also provide a very favourable synergy when blended with wool, cotton, polyester and other fibres, not only in cost savings, but delivering high performance, feel and appearance attributes associated with much more expensive alternatives.

“Doubling our LCDA capacity provides supply security for customers and meets the demands of new markets that Cathay has recently developed,” said Dr. Xiucai Liu, Cathay's CEO. “Customer response has been overwhelming for the new bio-based materials. The value of these new products is very clear and Cathay is eager to work closely with selected downstream partners to deliver this value to the market.” (RKS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – China

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