Caprolactam is an intermediate primarily used in the production of nylon 6 fibres and resins. Just over 70% of caprolactam is consumed in the production of nylon fibres with the rest used in engineering resins and films.
The nylon fibres market is mature at around 1%/year growth while demand for engineering resins is much more robust at 4-5%/year. Overall long-term global growth for caprolactam is estimated in the range of 2-2.5%/year.
Conventional caprolactam technology is based on the key intermediate cyclohexanone, which is usually produced by the oxidation of cyclohexane. Cyclohexanone is then reacted with hydroxylamine sulphate to produce cyclohexanone oxime. This is followed by a Beckmann rearrangement using oleum to yield caprolactam.
Caprolactam occurs as white, hygroscopic flakes or crystals with a distinctive odour. It is a slight fire hazard when exposed to heat or flame and reacts violently with strong oxidants.
Caprolactam
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Caprolactam
Uses and Outlook
The growth in caprolactam is very dependent on the nylon 6 business which has suffered from poor profitability. Around 70% of the caprolactam is used in making nylon 6 fibres, which are made into textile, carpet and industrial yarns. This market is mature and been in decline in the western world at the expense of growth in Asia. The nylon 6 fibres sector also sees competition from other materials such as nylon 6,6 and polyester. As a result, this sector is only expected to grow at 1%/year.
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Caprolactam
Process Technologies
Conventional caprolactam technology is based on the key intermediate cyclohexanone, which is usually produced by the oxidation of cyclohexane, but can also be made from phenol or toluene. Separately, hydroxylamine sulphate is manufactured by the oxidation of ammonia to nitrous oxide followed by hydrogenation in the presence of sulphuric acid. The hydroxylamine sulphate is then reacted with the cyclohexanone to produce cyclohexanone oxime. This is followed by a Beckmann rearrangement using oleum to yield caprolactam.
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