10 Questions You Should to Know about nylon 6 tire cord fabric material

Author: Sam

Jul. 21, 2025

Top 10 Questions for Tire Cord Weaver Interview - ResumeGemini

Top 10 Questions for Tire Cord Weaver Interview

Ever felt underprepared for that crucial job interview? Or perhaps you’ve landed the interview but struggled to articulate your skills and experiences effectively? Fear not! We’ve got you covered. In this blog post, we’re diving deep into the Tire Cord Weaver interview questions that you’re most likely to encounter. But that’s not all. We’ll also provide expert insights into the key responsibilities of a Tire Cord Weaver so you can tailor your answers to impress potential employers.

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Essential Interview Questions For Tire Cord Weaver

1. Describe the different types of tire cord fabrics and their applications?

Sure, here are the different types of tire cord fabrics and their applications:

  • Nylon tire cord fabric: Nylon is a synthetic fiber that is strong, durable, and has good elasticity. Nylon tire cord fabric is used in the construction of radial tires, which are used in passenger cars, light trucks, and SUVs.
  • Polyester tire cord fabric: Polyester is a synthetic fiber that is strong, durable, and has low stretch. Polyester tire cord fabric is used in the construction of bias tires, which are used in heavy trucks and buses.
  • Steel tire cord fabric: Steel is a metal that is strong, durable, and has high stiffness. Steel tire cord fabric is used in the construction of radial tires for high-performance vehicles, such as sports cars and race cars.

2. Explain the process of weaving tire cord fabric?

Weaving Preparation

  • Preparing the yarn: The yarn is first prepared by winding it onto a creel or beam.
  • Warping: The yarn is then warped onto a loom, which is a machine that holds the yarn in place while it is being woven.

Weaving Process

  • Shedding: The warp yarns are separated into two layers, called sheds.
  • Filling insertion: The weft yarn is inserted between the sheds.
  • Beating up: The weft yarn is beaten into place using a reed.

Finishing

  • The woven fabric is inspected for defects.
  • The fabric is then treated with a sizing agent to improve its strength and durability.
  • The fabric is finally calendared to give it a smooth finish.

3. What are the key factors that affect the quality of tire cord fabric?

The key factors that affect the quality of tire cord fabric include:

  • The type of fiber used: The type of fiber used will determine the strength, durability, and elasticity of the fabric.
  • The yarn count: The yarn count refers to the number of yarns per inch in the fabric. A higher yarn count will result in a stronger and more durable fabric.
  • The weave pattern: The weave pattern will determine the appearance and performance of the fabric.
  • The finishing process: The finishing process will improve the strength, durability, and appearance of the fabric.

4. How do you troubleshoot common problems that occur during the weaving of tire cord fabric?

Common problems that occur during the weaving of tire cord fabric include:

  • Yarn breakage: Yarn breakage can be caused by a variety of factors, such as the use of weak yarn, improper tension, or damage to the loom.
  • Fabric defects: Fabric defects can be caused by a variety of factors, such as improper weaving, contamination, or damage to the fabric.
  • Machine downtime: Machine downtime can be caused by a variety of factors, such as mechanical problems, electrical problems, or operator error.

To troubleshoot these problems, it is important to identify the root cause of the problem and then take steps to correct it.

5. What are the latest trends in tire cord fabric manufacturing?

The latest trends in tire cord fabric manufacturing include:

  • The use of new materials: New materials, such as high-strength fibers and nanocomposites, are being used to develop stronger and more durable tire cord fabrics.
  • The development of new weaving technologies: New weaving technologies, such as 3D weaving, are being used to develop tire cord fabrics with improved performance.
  • The use of automation: Automation is being used to improve the efficiency and quality of tire cord fabric manufacturing.

6. How do you stay up-to-date on the latest developments in tire cord fabric manufacturing?

I stay up-to-date on the latest developments in tire cord fabric manufacturing by:

  • Reading industry publications: I read industry publications, such as Tire Technology International and Rubber World, to learn about the latest news and developments in the tire cord fabric industry.
  • Attending industry conferences: I attend industry conferences, such as the International Tire Expo and the Tire Technology Conference, to learn about the latest technologies and trends in the tire cord fabric industry.
  • Networking with industry professionals: I network with industry professionals, such as engineers, researchers, and suppliers, to learn about the latest developments in the tire cord fabric industry.

7. What are the challenges facing the tire cord fabric industry?

The tire cord fabric industry is facing a number of challenges, including:

  • The increasing cost of raw materials: The cost of raw materials, such as nylon and polyester, has been increasing in recent years, which is putting pressure on tire cord fabric manufacturers.
  • The competition from low-cost countries: Tire cord fabric manufacturers in low-cost countries, such as China and India, are able to produce tire cord fabric at a lower cost than manufacturers in developed countries.
  • The changing demand for tire cord fabric: The demand for tire cord fabric is changing as the automotive industry moves towards the production of electric vehicles.

8. What are the opportunities for the tire cord fabric industry?

The tire cord fabric industry has a number of opportunities, including:

  • The growing demand for high-performance tires: The demand for high-performance tires is growing as consumers demand tires that provide better handling, traction, and fuel efficiency.
  • The development of new markets: New markets for tire cord fabric are emerging, such as the market for tires for electric vehicles.
  • The development of new technologies: New technologies, such as 3D weaving, are being developed to improve the performance of tire cord fabric.

9. How do you see the tire cord fabric industry evolving in the future?

I believe that the tire cord fabric industry will continue to evolve in the future. I expect to see the following trends:

  • The use of new materials: New materials, such as high-strength fibers and nanocomposites, will be used to develop stronger and more durable tire cord fabrics.
  • The development of new weaving technologies: New weaving technologies, such as 3D weaving, will be used to develop tire cord fabrics with improved performance.
  • The use of automation: Automation will be used to improve the efficiency and quality of tire cord fabric manufacturing.
  • The development of new markets: New markets for tire cord fabric will emerge, such as the market for tires for electric vehicles.

10. What are your career goals?

My career goals are to:

  • Become a leading expert in the tire cord fabric industry.
  • Develop new and innovative tire cord fabrics.
  • Help the tire cord fabric industry to grow and prosper.

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Researching the company and tailoring your answers is essential. Once you have a clear understanding of the Tire Cord Weaver‘s requirements, you can use ResumeGemini to adjust your resume to perfectly match the job description.

Key Job Responsibilities

Tire Cord Weavers are responsible for operating and maintaining looms that weave tire cord, a high-tensile fabric used in the reinforcement of tires. They ensure that the looms are running smoothly and that the tire cord is produced according to specifications.

1. Loom Operation

  • Setup and operate looms to weave tire cord
  • Monitor looms for proper operation and make adjustments as needed
  • Inspect tire cord for defects and make repairs as necessary

2. Loom Maintenance

  • Perform routine maintenance on looms, including cleaning, lubrication, and adjustments
  • Troubleshoot and repair loom problems
  • Maintain a clean and safe work area

3. Quality Control

  • Inspect tire cord for defects and make repairs as necessary
  • Monitor the quality of the tire cord produced
  • Maintain records of loom operation and tire cord production

4. Other Duties

  • Follow safety procedures and wear appropriate safety gear
  • May train new employees
  • May supervise other Tire Cord Weavers

Interview Tips

Preparing for a Tire Cord Weaver interview can help you make a great impression on the hiring manager and increase your chances of getting the job. Here are some tips to help you prepare:

1. Research the Company and Position

Before the interview, take some time to research the company and the specific position you are applying for. This will help you understand the company’s culture, values, and goals, as well as the specific requirements of the job. You can find this information on the company’s website, Glassdoor, or other online resources.

2. Practice Your Answers

Once you have a good understanding of the company and position, you can start practicing your answers to interview questions. Common interview questions for Tire Cord Weavers include:

  • Tell me about your experience operating and maintaining looms.
  • What are some of the challenges you have faced in your previous role as a Tire Cord Weaver?
  • How do you ensure that the tire cord you produce meets quality standards?

When practicing your answers, try to be as specific as possible and use examples from your own experience. This will help you stand out from other candidates and demonstrate your qualifications for the job.

3. Be Prepared to Talk About Your Safety Experience

Safety is a top priority in the textile industry, so be prepared to talk about your safety experience during the interview. This could include discussing your experience with OSHA regulations, safety procedures, and any safety training you have received.

4. Dress Professionally

First impressions matter, so dress professionally for your interview. This means wearing clean, pressed clothes and avoiding casual attire. You should also arrive on time for your interview and be polite and respectful to the interviewer.

5. Be Enthusiastic and Positive

Finally, be enthusiastic and positive during your interview. This will show the interviewer that you are genuinely interested in the position and that you are confident in your abilities. Remember, the interviewer is looking for someone who is passionate about their work and who will be a valuable asset to their team.

Note: These questions offer general guidance, it’s important to tailor your answers to your specific role, industry, job title, and work experience.

Next Step:

Armed with this knowledge, you’re now well-equipped to tackle the Tire Cord Weaver interview with confidence. Remember, a well-crafted resume is your first impression. Take the time to tailor your resume to highlight your relevant skills and experiences. And don’t forget to practice your answers to common interview questions. With a little preparation, you’ll be on your way to landing your dream job. So what are you waiting for? Start building your resume and start applying! Build an amazing resume with ResumeGemini.

Disclaimer: The names and organizations mentioned in these resume samples are purely fictional and used for illustrative purposes only. Any resemblance to actual persons or entities is purely coincidental. These samples are not legally binding and do not represent any real individuals or businesses.

The Sustainable Future of Nylon - Performance Days

THE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE OF NYLON

Introduction

Nylon – probably one of the most known synthetics in the textile world besides polyester. In fact, Nylon shares at its first glance a similarity with polyester: they are referring to a group of plastics with different properties. The most known and used polyester is PET (polyethylene terephthalate), for Nylon basically many people do not know the different types.

Nylons are polymer substances composed of a long and multiple numbers of molecules in which the repeating units are linked by amide groups1.

Nylon is a trade name of the company DuPont. Most clothes made of Nylon are with its chemical name labelled Polyamide. In this report Nylon is being used instead of Polyamide to simplify the reading.

According to the latest Textile Exchange Preferred Fiber and Materials Market Report from , Nylon fibers had with around 5.4 million tons a market share of about 5 percent of the global fiber production market in . Global total Nylon fiber production increased from 3.74 million tons in to 5.4 million tons in . In , the global Nylon fiber production decreased from 5.58 million tons in to 5.45 million tons in due to COVID-19 2.

The History of Nylon

Nylon was first discovered in by the American chemist W.H. Carothers of the company DuPont which started commercializing it in . They named it Nylon 6.6, because it is made from two different monomers each of which has six carbon atoms.

It was the first fiber to be synthesized from petrochemicals and claimed a novelty no other product could match 3. Originally developed as a replacement for silk, hosiery in Nylon 6.6 was on display at the New York World‘s Fair in the summer of and available nationwide in 4. Later, Nylon found its way into technical applications such as balloon cloth, glider tow ropes, airplane tire cord, and military apparel to support the United States in the World War II.

At the end of World War II, applications of Nylon 6.6 fibers were expanded from hosiery to many other textile and industrial uses 5.

Besides the development of Nylon 6.6 in the United States, in the German chemist Paul Schlack of company I.G. Farben polymerized caprolactam to Nylon 6 – also known as Perlon. In , British Nylon Inc. began Nylon 6 production in Great Britain and opened the door for synthetic fiber inventions that revolutionized the global textile industry 6.

In the past, the tradename Nylon referred to Polyamide 6.6 and tradename Perlon to Polyamide 6. Nowadays, Nylon is the common international term in the textile industry including both types.

After the World War II, Europe faced a dramatic shortage in crude oil which led into the development of an alternative route for producing Nylon. The small French company called Organico commercialized in the first known Nylon made of 100% biobased content, using castor oil as its feedstock. This Nylon 11 is known under the brand name Rilsan® produced by the French chemical company Arkema 7.

In , Neil Armstrong planted a Nylon flag on the moon while wearing a Nylon and aramid spacesuit, which made a momentum for the technical capabilities of Nylon 4. Over the years Nylon became more and more popular in the consumer and industrial area and several new types were developed and commercialized.

Nowadays, Nylon is being used in different kind of applications such as fibers, molds, resins, and films. Segment applications including textiles, automotive, carpets, and sportswear due to their strength and durability 1.

Nylon Types

The term Nylon refers to a generic material group and not to a single material type. Unfortunately, also textile labeling rules only list the Nylon material group as »Polyamide« or »Nylon« (depending on regional area). Thus, behind the content label information »Polyamide« can stand all types of Nylon such as Nylon 6, Nylon 6.6, Nylon 10.10 etc. For the user this creates problems as one does not know which specific material is being used. Considering End-of-Life textile recycling schemes, an identification of the material type creates difficulties when using only the generic material group name. With the development of digital product passports, this issue needs to be addressed. The detailed material content type shall be included, otherwise sorting is made more difficult.

Nylons are crystalline polymers typically produced by the condensation of a diacid and a diamine or formed by a ring-opening polymerization. There are several types, and each type is often described by a number, such as Nylon 66 or Polyamide 66 (PA 66). The numeric suffixes refer to the number of carbon atoms present in the molecular structures of the amine and acid respectively (or a single suffix if the amine and acid groups are part of the same molecule) 8.

Recycled Nylon

The global recycled Nylon fiber production volume in is estimated at around 0.11 million tons. Considering technical challenges and low prices for fossil-based Nylons, the market share of recycled Nylon is with 1.9 % of all Nylon fiber very low 2. Several brands made commitments and pledges to increase the usage of recycled Nylons or even phasing out fossil Nylons 13, so the number of recycled Nylon will increase within the next years.

Recycling Nylons can be produced from post-industrial / pre-consumer or post-consumer waste 2. There are several standards existing, to ensure the chain-of-custody of recycled Nylons, such as the Global Textile Recycling Standard (GRS) and the Recycled Claim Standard – to name the most used.

Compared to recycled PET, which is up to now widely available thanks to existing waste streams from plastic bottles, Nylons are facing a crucial hurdle: There are no waste streams existing.

Therefore, it is difficult to retrieve Nylon waste, especially from post-consumer source. Due to the scarcity of post-consumer Nylon waste, suppliers are often using post-industrial / pre-consumer feedstock for their recycled Nylons. To boost the usage of post-consumer recycled Nylon, efforts need to be taken in the establishment of more continuous collection of waste systems.

Post-industrial / pre-consumer Nylon

Probably the most used recycled Nylon type present.

Post-industrial / pre-consumer recycled material is diverted from the waste stream during a manufacturing process. Excluded is re-utilization of materials such as rework, regrind or scrap generated in a process and capable of being reclaimed within the same process that generated it14.

The Textile Exchange Global Recycled Standard Implementation Manual 4.2 includes several examples of what can be claimed as post-industrial / pre-consumer material and what not – such as regrinds15.

Regrinds are shredded and / or granulated recover-ed plastics material in the form of a free-flowing material16. The term »regrind« is frequently used to describe plastics material in the form of scrap generated in a plastics processing operation and re-used in-house17.


Examples for regrinds

  • Spinning wastage, generated in the yarn extruding process
  • Runners, used in the injection molding process


Simply explained, regrinds can be compared to cookie backing: the remaining dough after cookie cutting is being knead and rolled out again and used up until no leftover is present.

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Users of post-industrial / pre-consumer recycled materials should make sure that regrinds are excluded – not only from a legal perspective as described, but also from an economic and ecological perspective. If the demand of those regrinds increases, more virgin Nylon might be produced and the holistic efficiency in the process decreases.
Due to the fact, that post-industrial / pre-consumer Nylon feed-stock is often not contaminated with other materials, the mechanical recycling is the traditional technology.

Post-Consumer Nylon

Post-consumer recycled material is generated by households or by commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities in their role as end-users of the product which can no longer be used for its intended purpose. This includes returns of material from the distribution chain 14.

As for Polyesters (PET) a recycling is usually simple, thanks to the pure quality of the bottles, for Nylon instead it is different. Due to the fact, that post-consumer Nylons are already manufactured into products which are usually containing residues of other materials or finishes, the conventional mechanical recycling is often not suitable. Arising chemical recycling technologies are offering the possibility to remove residues and providing a virgin-like quality.

Post-consumer recycled Nylons are playing a crucial role in the circular economy to end up plastic wastage. Unfortunately, there are only limited quantities available in Nylon 6. Thanks to its single monomer content, a recycling of Nylon 6 is more feasible compared to bi-monomer Nylons.

Probably the best-known Nylon from post-consumer resources is ECONYL®18. The European manufacturer Aquafil is producing it in Slovenia. To ensure a steady waste input, they have formed collaborations with industrial carpet users and fish farms to collect their discarded fishing nets. Furthermore, they are working together with the Healthy Seas organization to retrieve ghost nets from the sea.

This idea has been taken up by the Taiwanese company Formosa Chemicals, which is also using chemical recycling technology to process discarded fishing nets 19. They are sourcing the material from Chile and aquafarms in Vietnam. Formosa Chemicals has an exclusive agreement for sale with a prominent American outdoor brand, hopefully it will be available to the public soon.

The idea of taking discarded fishing nets finds more and more supporters. Taiwanese Nylon spinning expert Zig Sheng Industrial company is providing recycled Nylon with a certain amount of mechanical recycled fishing nets 20.

The latest novelty comes from BASF. With their ChemCyling™ platform they can use mixed plastic waste from municipal waste collection and discarded automotive tires. This waste is chemically recycled into a pyrolysis oil which replaces crude fossil oil. The recycled amount is being allocated in the product via a certified mass balance approach. The quality is identical compared to conventional Nylon 6. In the first textile products have been presented to the market 21.

Despite all the efforts been made on synthetic recycling, the beginning of a material’s life should not be forgotten. And that is why it is important to investigate renewable feedstock resources.

Biobased Nylon

Biobased plastics utilize renewable resources and have the potential to mitigate climate change, through the usage of CO2 during the growing phase, when compared to fossil-based materials 22. In line with a broader vision, bioplastics are part of the transition toward a biobased economy.

The term bioplastics is often used as a collective term for different plastic types. Two aspects of bioplastics are generally mixed up:

  • Its Composition: A plastic made of renewable resources, meaning that the material or product is fully or partly derived from biomass.
  • Its End of Life: A biodegradable or compostable plastic. It refers to a chemical process during which, micro-organisms in the environment convert materials into natural substances such as water, carbon dioxide, and biomass. Some biodegradable plastics are also possible to recycle such as PLA, but their quality may be poor for technical applications.


Due to its unprotected meaning and its free use, bioplastic encompasses several expressions:

  • Biobased – renewable natural feedstock
  • Biopolymer – A polymer is a repeating chain of monomers. The raw material to get the monomers comes from a feedstock partly or fully biobased. e.g. PA 4.10, PA 10.10
  • Bioplastic – Biopolymer + additive (commonly refers to hard plastics)
  • Biosynthetic – Biopolymer + additive (commonly refers to textiles)


History shows that bioplastics are far from being a new type of material since they were the start of the plastic chemistry in the first place.

It is possible to separate bioplastics in two categories: An Old Economy and a New Economy.

Old Economy / New Economy

The Old Economy refers to bioplastics which have been around since a long time, such as Cellulose Acetate or even Natural Rubber. Those bioplastics are used for their unique properties which cannot be replicated through oil chemistry, or at least not in a cost-competitive manner.

The New Economy follows the interest for new material properties. A part of it are the bioplastics. One sub-family is the chemically novel bioplastics. They are using new or rediscovered materials with properties differentiating from traditional fossil-based plastic counterparts. Until a relative recent past, bioplastics were mostly used for performance related applications, where fossil-based counterparts were not suitable, for instance in biomedical applications or in very specific engineered plastics for the automotive industry. The sustainable aspect wasn't the focus. For the textile / outdoor sports industry, there is a different approach: It is a necessity to find sustainable materials while keeping performances at least at the same level as before. Any change of the properties could be communicated as a performance benefit.

The other would be the so-called Drop-Ins. These plastics have the exact same chemical structure as traditional fossil-based plastics but coming from renewable feedstocks. Thus, they can go directly in the already existing recycling streams. Those are driven by sustainable demand and can be successors of our existing fossil-based plastics.

Feedstock sources

There are several definitions of feedstock generations existing. So far none of them are really covering all the possible existing feedstocks and can lead into confusion. The ranking of feedstock should not be brought up in this early stage when other important information is not taken into consideration. Feedstock sources should be evaluated on yield, sustainability, and biochemical composition.

The source of feedstock for bioplastics is a topic which needs some background information. Re-newable feedstocks have generally a very high content of water, leaving a lower amount of matter to use to produce chemicals. Biobased chemical intermediates, from which are obtained bioplastics, are transformed from chemical structures found in renewable feedstocks, such as:

  • Carbohydrates which are often referred as sugars, though being a simplification
  • Lignin, which binds the cellulose and hemicellulose together
  • Proteins
  • Lipids


Those chemicals can be found in all plants, the main difference being that certain plants will have higher amounts of carbohydrates, and another higher amount of lignin. This plays a role on why some bioplastics are coming from a certain feedstock and not others. From the end-user side the focus lies on the plant from which the chemicals are extracted, and that is where most of the assessment of sustainability is being made.

The sustainability of biobased Nylon should be verified with Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs). Certifications are important to assess the biobased content: CEN/TS | EN | ASTM D | ISO

Availability of biobased Nylons

Several biobased Nylons are commercially available. Driven in the first place by large industries such as the automotive industry, to obtain a demanded performance, the focus is now shifting in other industries, such as outdoor sports, toward a sustainable approach.

Most of the biobased Nylons currently available were developed for their specific performance compared to other fossil-based plastics, and not for sustainable benefits. This focus on high performing materials, which have properties different from the traditional materials used in the outdoor sports industry, is a constraint to deal with when looking at the current market situation.

For currently available biobased Nylons, castor oil represents an essential natural feedstock to produce specific monomer components, such as sebacic acid.

Important to note is that biobased Nylons are still a niche market. Even though several biobased Nylon granulates are commercially available, the extrusion and further processing into textile yarns still presents some difficulties. The difficulties are rather not due to the biobased source of the polymer, it is more a question of a different chemical structure and properties that manufacturers are not familiar with. In addition, the very high price of those Nylons represents the main hurdle in spreading the usage.

So called biobased drop-ins Nylons, virtually identically from the properties compared to the fossil counterparts, are not commercially existing. There are ongoing projects on Nylon 6 to develop and commercialize textile grades.

The EFFECTIVE project, a multistakeholder project funded by the EU Horizon BBI JU (Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking), aims to develop Nylon 6 out of sustainable plant-based sugar resources such as sugar beet 23. The project started in and shall be completed in . The technology to convert the plant-based sugars into chemical building blocks, comes from the San Diego-based biotechnology company Genomatica. Whose fermentation process has been listed by TIME magazine as one of the best inventions in 24.

In August , Canadian activewear company lululemon has announced a partnership with Genomatica to bring Bio-Nylon into their products to replace fossil-based materials 25.

Another variety is Nylon 6 derived from renewable raw materials, supplied by BASF (Ultramid® Biomass Balance Polyamide). Sustainable plant oils and organic wastes are transformed into biogas which serves as a replacement to crude oil in the very first step of Nylon production. The biobased amount is allocated mathematically via a certified system to specific products 26. The quality of final Nylon 6 granulate is identical to conventional Nylon 6. Yet, it cannot be classified or named simply as a biobased Nylon as its biobased carbon content cannot be addressed by the C14 method (radiocarbon dating method) 27.

Biodegradable Nylon

As Nylon types are among most other plastic types are generally not biodegradable by their chemical structure, questions arising in the microplastic debate 28. Amni Soul Eco® of the Rhodia-Solvay group claims to be the world´s first biodegradable Nylon 6.6 yarn to quickly decompose after being disposed in landfills 29. Another example is the newly released Sensil® Biocare yarn of company Nilit. Enriched with an additive that accelerates the break down of microfibers in oceans and landfills 30.

There are no scientific articles available on the so called »oxo-degradable« or »enzyme-mediated« plastics 31 32. As no proof for the degradation process has been provided, environmental beneficial effects are highly questionable 27.

Amni Soul Eco® and Sensil® Biocare claim their biodegradability / accelerated break down based on ASTM D – Standard test method for determining anaerobic biodegradation of plastic materials under high-solids 33 30. In addition, Sensil® Biocare claims to break down under aerobic conditions according to ASTM D – Standard test method for determining aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials in the marine environment 30.

Strict laws in California regulate the marketing and labeling of degradable plastic products sold in California, including those claiming to be »compostable« or »biodegradable«. Environmental marketing claims, whether explicit or implied, must be substantiated by competent and reliable scientific evidence and meet specified standards. In , legislation was passed that extended restrictions on use of degradability terms to nearly all plastic products 34.

Users of those modified Nylons need to weigh the priorities. An overview of existing biodegradable plastics under various conditions can be found here: renewable-carbon.eu/biodegradable-polymers-in-various-environments-according-to-established-standards-and-certification-schemes-graphic-pdf/

NYLON AND THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Nylons are thermoplastic materials, meaning they are re-meltable and therefore recyclable. In fact, every Nylon type can be recycled, but it depends on existing recycling facilities and collection schemes 14. The combination of different Nylon types within a product poses similar difficulties as is the case for any material blend. On the other hand, Nylon is a suitable material to produce not only textiles from it – trims can also be made.

In Napapijri revealed its first mono-material Nylon jacket 35. Followed by a circular collection, using Nylon 6 in textiles, filling, and trims enables a fully circular product with an End-of-Life perspective to be recyclable 36.

Nylon 6 seems to be a perfect synthetic material to use in a circular economy. Due to its only one monomer content (caprolactam) a recycling is more viable compared to bi-monomer types. Thanks to the variety of different application sectors, Nylon 6 enables brands to create easy-to recycle products.

Other Nylon types than Nylon 6 are facing difficulties, as recycling systems need to be set up first.

Chemical recycling technologies are playing a crucial role in the utilization of post-consumer products to maintain quality of the polymers and to remove residues of the processed materials.

Important note in terms of a recyclability of a Nylon product is an existing and available recycling technology and take-back system which needs to be established by every player itself. Considering the EUs Waste Framework Directive, member states will have to set up by a separate collection for textiles 37. This could lead into a better availability of waste Nylon textile products.

THE FUTURE OUTLOOK

Nylon is an elemental material in the sportswear industry. The high-performance attributes make it suitable in a variety of durable products such as apparel and backpacks.
Once the product is made, it should have the longest lifespan possible without energy input needed: that means an increased durability, favoring re-use and second hand. Then, once the material is no longer suited for its use, it should be recycled, if possible, through local channels and in the same product loop.

The current feedstock for the most used Nylon types 6 and 6.6 is coming from fossil resources – crude oil. To reduce the dependency on fossil resources, alternative routes need to be established. Taking up the already existing waste in form of recycling will be the largest share in a decarbonized economy according to a forecast by the Nova Institute 38. The market needs to push Nylon recycling initiatives further to fulfill the demand for a conscious thinking sportswear industry.

Even though recycled Nylons are gaining ground, their origin remains fossil-based / non-renewable. Furthermore, virgin feedstock will be always needed to supply the demand of Nylon. Biobased Nylons seem here an interesting option. With chemically novel Nylon types, new performance attributes can be addressed. The market will show if those Nylon types remain in a niche market or become widely accepted. Approaches on biobased Nylon 6 represent a one-to-one substitution on its existing fossil counterpart, where large volumes are existing 23 25.

Renewable feedstock is a more valuable raw material than crude oil and its use should be preferred whenever possible. The sustainability of renewable feedstocks always must be analyzed and is not per se sustainable. The processing steps from fossil and biobased polymers are similar and none of them is more sustainable than another.

Nevertheless, there is a lot to do in term of eco-friendly Nylon manufacturing, with less energy-intensive, less polluting processes, and the usage of renewable energy.

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