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Genomatica’s bio-caprolactam process for 100% biobased nylon-6

What does it do, how does it work, who is it aimed at?

Genomatica is developing a process to make biobased caprolactam, which will allow companies to make more sustainable nylon apparel, carpets and fibers.The objective is to provide an environmentally-friendly way to make caprolactam with better economics, including for smaller-scale plants. Performance will be fully comparable with nylon made from crude oil-derived caprolactam, and will not require any machine or process adjustments by the nylon supply chain. Aquafil, a leader in sustainable nylon, is a charter partner. The “EFFECTIVE” consortium, a dozen firms including major brands, plan to produce more sustainable fibers and plastics for commercial use based in part on Genomatica’s caprolactam/nylon technology.

Competitively, what gives this technology an edge?

Genomatica’s bio-caprolactam/bio-nylon technology is distinctive because of its potential for high impact in major product value chains. 

The market for caprolactam is very large, at 5M tons per year. Delivering a competitive process technology will notably advance sustainability of numerous everyday products like carpet and apparel and help lead toward a more circular economy.  It is also distinctive because the nature of the product – nylon – has immediate appeal to major brands. This drives early and active engagement, helping to drive success. This is already being seen through the EFFECTIVE consortium’s (12 EU firms including major brands) commitment to the technology. 

What stage of development is this technology at right now?

They believe the prospects of delivering a competitive technology are strong, based on Genomatica’s track record of delivering two commercial biobased processes already (for 1,4-butanediol and 1,3-butylene glycol).

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