Nylon-6/66 is a challenging material to recycle. The primary recycling method for Nylon-6/66 involves chemical processes, which is expensive and relies on hazardous solvents. On the other hand, cheaper mechanical recycling has its drawbacks. During this process, shredded Nylon-6/66 waste is exposed to high temperatures, leading to a significant loss of properties due to thermo-degradation.
The quality of the recycled Nylon-6/66 material is a crucial factor for industries. Those utilizing mechanical recycling often need to reinforce the Nylon by introducing additives such as glass or carbon fibers. While this restores mechanical strength, it makes the material stiff and unsuitable for filament applications, such as in textile or fishing net industries.
At Renovare, we have developed an innovative solution that enables the mechanical recycling of Nylon-6/66. Our material, mostly composed of recycled plastic, not only makes a substantial contribution to ecology and ocean cleaning but also provides a high-quality alternative that can reduce the consumption of raw plastic. Currently, Europe consumes around 8 million tons of plastic annually, with only 7% being recycled. We believe this is a concerning statistic.