Technology firm Genomatica Inc. is working to develop bio-based production of nylon feedstocks caprolactam, adipic acid and HMDA.
“Nylon intermediates are of high interest to us, and are a natural target for our R&D and process engineering strengths,” CEO Christophe Schilling said in an Aug. 5 news release.
San Diego-based Genomatica already has had success with bio-based butanediol, which is used to make plastics and rubber feedstock butadiene. The firm's bio-BDO process has been licensed by plastics and chemicals makers BASF SE and Novamont SpA.
Genomatica also is working with materials firms Royal DSM, Versalis SpA and Toray Industries Inc.