INVISTA and Epoch Biodesign partner to develop virgin-quality, post-consumer recycled nylon 6,6 using enzymatic recycling at commercial scale.
INVISTA, a global leader in chemical intermediates, polymers, and fibers serving the nylon and polypropylene value chains, has entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Epoch Biodesign, a pioneer in enzymatic plastic recycling technologies. The agreement marks an important step toward advancing the development of post-consumer recycled nylon 6,6 and scaling it to meet demanding commercial and performance standards.
The collaboration brings together complementary strengths from both organizations. Epoch Biodesign will contribute its proprietary, AI-engineered enzymes designed to break down complex plastic waste, while INVISTA will leverage its deep polymerization expertise, extensive manufacturing capabilities, and global operational footprint. Together, the companies aim to produce recycled nylon 6,6 that matches virgin material quality and performance, while achieving commercial-scale viability.
Nylon 6,6 is a highly valued engineering polymer used extensively across multiple industries, including apparel, automotive manufacturing, and a wide range of industrial applications. Its durability, strength, and thermal resistance make it indispensable, but those same characteristics also make it challenging to recycle effectively. Developing recycled nylon 6,6 that meets customer specifications and regulatory expectations has long been considered one of the most complex hurdles in the circular materials landscape.
Through this partnership, INVISTA and Epoch intend to address that challenge directly. By integrating enzymatic recycling processes with advanced polymer science, the collaboration seeks to transform post-consumer nylon waste into high-quality feedstock capable of being reintroduced into the supply chain without compromising performance or reliability. The ultimate goal is to deliver customer-validated, virgin-equivalent nylon 6,6 that can support sustainability targets while maintaining consistency at scale.
Commenting on the announcement, INVISTA Global Sustainability Director Ethel Garnier emphasized the company鈥檚 focus on innovation and resilience. She noted that INVISTA remains committed to evaluating and deploying new technologies that strengthen the sustainability of nylon 6,6 supply chains. According to Garnier, the collaboration reflects a shared ambition to meet growing market demand for recycled materials while continuing to provide high-quality products that customers expect from INVISTA.
Epoch Biodesign CEO Jacob Nathan described the agreement as a milestone for the company and its technology. He highlighted that being selected from a global pool of recycling solutions by a company closely associated with the invention of nylon 6,6 represents strong validation of Epoch鈥檚 approach. Nathan added that the partnership reinforces the need for scalable enzymatic recycling solutions and sends a clear signal that major industry players see value in moving beyond conventional recycling methods.
The MoU establishes a structured framework for collaboration, beginning with detailed technical evaluations and polymer qualification activities that are already in progress. These efforts will be followed by application-level performance testing to ensure the recycled material meets industry and customer requirements across end-use markets. As the project advances, both companies aim to accelerate progress toward broader deployment and real-world implementation.
By combining cutting-edge biotechnology with decades of polymer science expertise, INVISTA and Epoch Biodesign aim to push the nylon industry forward, transforming waste into high-value materials and contributing to a more circular and resilient global materials economy.
