Nylon is reborn from recycled rugs

A new family of nylon 6 products gives a nod to environmental preservation efforts. Akulon Renew from DSM Engineering Plastics uses 25 percent caprolactam recycled from used carpeting, chemically purified to retain its original properties and appearance. Through a joint venture with AlliedSignal Chemical Intermediates, called Evergreen Nylon Recycling, the caprolactam will be produced using post-consumer re-cyclate at the Evergreen plant in Augusta, GA.

In the process, nylon carpet is depolymerized to its base chemicals, including caprolactam, which is filtered of impurities. The result is a product that is chemically the same as its virgin form. Physical properties of the new nylon are expected to be identical to the company?s line of nonrecycled nylon 6. Initial grades will include standard unreinforced, glass-reinforced, and glass/mineral compounds that can be colored for application in automotive and consumer durables markets.

DSM reports that the material?s virgin quality exceeds that of traditional recycled nylon, which melts and blends postindustrial fiber waste from spinning operations, and is typically available only in mineral and/or glass-reinforced black compounds. Akulon Renew will be commercially available in early 2000, pending completion of the Evergreen plant. Pricing is expected to be similar to that of virgin nylon grades.

DSM Engineering Plastics
Evansville, IN
Phone: (812) 435-7500
Fax: (812) 435-7702
www.dsmep.com