Toray Industries has developed a proprietary technology for the efficient chemical recycling of nylon 66. Using subcritical water, the process enables fast depolymerization and recovery of monomers, offering a significant contribution to circular economy efforts and reduced carbon emissions in the plastics industry.
Monomer Recovery Through Subcritical Water
Toray Industries, Inc. has introduced a proprietary chemical recycling technology that efficiently depolymerizes nylon 66. The process uses subcritical water to break down the polymer into its original monomers—hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid—within minutes. These can then be repolymerized to produce high-quality recycled nylon 66.
With global demand for nylon 66 reaching approximately 1.3 million metric tons annually, the material is critical in automotive and industrial applications due to its strength and thermal resistance. Its use ranges from airbags and tire cords to engine components such as radiator tanks and oil pans.
Circular Economy Potential in the Automotive Sector
Increasing regulatory pressure on automotive and industrial plastics is driving the need for sustainable recycling technologies. Japan, for instance, now requires the collection of used nylon 66-based airbags—a key feedstock for chemical recycling.
Toray leveraged its experience in nylon 6 recycling to address the more complex depolymerization of nylon 66. By suppressing unwanted side reactions, the company’s process ensures high monomer yields and low energy input, cutting carbon dioxide emissions by up to 50% compared to conventional production from fossil resources.
Scaling Up Towards Industrial Production
The company plans to focus first on automotive applications. By 2025, Toray aims to validate the technology through sample evaluations and build the necessary infrastructure for monomer separation and quality assurance. Full-scale production is envisioned around 2030, in line with stricter recycling regulations.
Looking ahead, Toray intends to expand its chemical recycling capabilities to include both nylon 6 and nylon 66, supporting broader adoption across industrial, apparel and engineering applications. The ultimate goal is to establish a closed-loop system that significantly contributes to carbon neutrality and resource efficiency.
Commitment to Sustainability
The new technology aligns with the Toray Group Sustainability Vision for 2050, which emphasizes responsible resource management. Through ongoing R&D, Toray aims to advance a recycling-oriented society and reinforce its commitment to creating new value through innovation.
