Materials giant BASF has opened its first commercial plant making Loopamid-brand recycled nylon fibres.
Officials with BASF in Ludwigshafen, Germany, said in a news release that the plant in Shanghai has an annual production capacity of just over 1 million pounds. Loopamid is 100 percent based on textile waste.
Officials said the new plant supports the growing demand for sustainable nylon 6 fibres in the textile industry. They added the opening “marks an important step” in the supply of sustainable products for that market.
Loopamid “transforms textile waste into a valuable resource, helps save raw materials and closes the textile loop,” Chief Technology Officer Stephan Kothrade said.
“I am convinced that Loopamid not only makes a significant contribution to the textile circular economy but also helps our customers achieve their sustainability goals,” added Ramkumar Dhruva, monomers president.
The plant and its output are certified to the Global Recycled Standard. Officials said this certification guarantees to consumers and textile manufacturers that Loopamid is made from recycled materials and that its production complies with environmental and social criteria.
Yarn makers already have successfully used Loopamid, according to BASF. To make Loopamid at the new plant, BASF uses industrial textile waste from textile manufacturing.
Officials said the site will gradually increase the share of post-consumer waste used. This feedstock includes cutting scraps, defective cuts, offcuts and other production waste from the textile industry.
These materials are collected and provided to BASF by customers and partners. End-of-life garments made from nylon 6 and other textile products can also be used to make Loopamid. Officials said these waste materials are challenging to recycle because they often consist of a mix of different fibres and materials as well as dyes and additives.
Additionally, buttons, zippers, and accessories must be removed for post-consumer waste recycling. Officials said BASF is working closely with partners and customers to accelerate the development of collection and sorting systems.
BASF says fibres and materials can be recycled over multiple cycles. Officials say Loopamid’s material characteristics are identical to those of conventional virgin nylon.
BASF is a major supplier of specialty plastics and many chemical products. The firm posted sales of $70.5 billion in 2024.
Source: sustainableplastics.com
