Catalytic Chemical Recycling of Nylon Waste

NU 2022-139, 2023-061, 2023-086

INVENTORS
Tobin J. Marks *
Yosi Kratish
Liwei Ye
Lukas Wursthorn

SHORT DESCRIPTION
Commercially available, low-cost catalysts that efficiently depolymerize Nylon 6 to its parent monomer at low operation temperatures and high yields.

BACKGROUND
Nylon-6, a widely used polymer in products like fishnets, carpets, and garments, contributes significantly to environmental waste in oceans and landfills. However, due to its robustness, the conventional recycling of Nylon-6 involves harsh conditions, including high-temperature steam and strong acids/bases, making the process challenging and energy-intensive. To address the escalating concerns about plastic pollution, there is a pressing need for advancements enabling milder and more efficient Nylon-6 recycling, aiming to minimize waste disposal and foster circularity in material usage.

ABSTRACT
Nylon-6, a widely used polymer in products like fishnets, carpets, and garments, contributes significantly to environmental waste in oceans and landfills. However, due to its robustness, the conventional recycling of Nylon-6 involves harsh conditions, including high-temperature steam and strong acids/bases, making the process challenging and energy-intensive. To address the escalating concerns about plastic pollution, there is a pressing need for advancements enabling milder and more efficient Nylon-6 recycling, aiming to minimize waste disposal and foster circularity in material usage.

APPLICATIONS

• Chemical recycling of virgin and post-consumer Nylon 6
• Chemical recycling of Nylon 6 admixed with PP, PE, and PET

ADVANTAGES

• Selective depolymerization enabling recyclability of mixed plastics
• Cost-effective, environmentally-friendly, and simple method involving minimal steps without solvents
• Energy-efficient, requiring lower temperatures

PUBLICATION
Wursthorn, L., Beckett, K., Rothbaum, J. O., Cywar, R. M., Lincoln, C., Kratish, Y., & Marks, T. J. (2022) Selective Lanthanide‐Organic Catalyzed Depolymerization of Nylon‐6 to ε‑Caprolactam, Angewandte Chemie International Edition.

Ye, L., Liu, X., Beckett, K. B., Rothbaum, J. O., Lincoln, C., Broadbelt, L. J., Kratish, Y., Marks, T. J. (2024) Catalyst metal-ligand design for rapid, selective, and solventless depolymerization of Nylon-6 plastics, Chem.

C&EN News: A new catalyst for breaking down nylon 6. December 7, 2023.
 

IP STATUS
Provisional patents have been filed.
 

INVO CONTACT
Phil Carter, PhD
Associate Director Strategic Alliances
(e) phillip.carter@northwestern.edu

Schematic representation of the catalytic recycling of post-consumer nylon waste.