Jacek Wesołowski,

Karolina Płachta
The Polyamide Market
DOI: 10.5604/12303666.1215537

Institute of Biopolymers and Chemical Fibers, Abstract

ul. Skłodowskiej-Curie 19/27, 90-570 Łódź, Poland This article presents changes that have occurred in recent years on the market for poly-
E-mail: [email protected] amides (PA). Attention is given to the various factors which brought about the changes.
Demand and production figures are shown and the biggest players in production and com-
merce are indicated. The share of polyamides is compared with other polymers, and the de-
mand for polyamide resins from various segments of industry is enumerated. Various figures
characterising the market are quoted. While stability is observed in the production segment
of classical polyamide fibres, much attention is given to the dynamic growth in the sector
of polyamide resins. Impressive changes both in quality and quantity are taking place in
the consumption of PA resins in many industry branches: the car industry, electrical and
electronic appliances, civil engineering, packaging, and many others. Examples are given
in the article of modern solutions and products put on the market as a result of close coop-
eration between R&D centers, industry and consumers. Most of the information contained
herein is concerned with classical polyamides i.e. PA6 and PA66, yet other polyamides like
GENERAL PROBLEMS OF THE FIBRE AND TEXTILE INDUSTRIES

aromatic-, long-chain-, and bio-polyamides are also highlighted.

Key words: polyamides, market, polyamide fibres, polyamide resin, polyamide engineering
plastics, films.

n Introduction n Volume of production

Polyamides have been on the market PCI Research GmbH, Oberursel, Ger-
for nearly 80 years. Fibres made of PA6 many in their reports forecasted a de-
and PA66 were the first commercialized mand for polyamides of over 7.4 million
polyamide products. The first polyam- tons for 2016 and for 2020 an increase
ide fibres made of PA66, called Nylon, by 2.3% and 2.7% for PA6 and PA66,
appeared on the market in 1938. It was respectively [2, 3]. Ceresana Market In-
W.H Carothers who invented the process telligence Consulting reported sales in
of their production in the laboratories of 2014 of PA6 and PA66 polyamides in the
DuPont de Nemours. At the same time, amount of 24.4 billion US dollars and
in Europe, one other polyamide PA6 fibre predicted an annual increase of 3.1% to
emerged under the name of Perlon; it was reach the value of 31.2 billion US dollars
developed by the German company IG in 2022 [4]. In their report [5] the market
Farbenindustrie following P. Schlack’s research company MarketsandMarkets
invention concerning the ability of cap- forecast for polyamide type PA6, PA66,
rolactam to polymerise [1]. Until to- Bio-Based & Specialty, a market value
day, these two polyamides have played of 43.77 billion US dollars in 2020, with
a dominant role in production and on an annual increase of 5.4% in the period
the market. From the time of their market of 2015-2020.
debut throughout the forties of the last
century, they were first used solely in the
Manufacturers and domains
production of fibres. However beginning
in the 50-ties, there was an ever increas-
of application
ing demand for their use in the resin sec- Companies which analyse the market
tor. Presently the largest amount of poly- for polyamides mention the following
amides is still processed as fibres, but the concerns and chemical companies as
resin segment is witnessing ever higher key players on the market: Asahi Kasei
rates, which is because polyamide resin Corporation, Arkema S.A., Ascend Per-
can be easily adapted to specific require- formance Materials LLC, BASF SE, EI
ments in a broadening span of applica- Du Pont de Nemours and Company, For-
tions. Classical PA6 and PA66 polymers mosa Chemicals & Fibre (FCFC), Grupa
are in many ways being replaced by new Azoty SA, Honeywell International Inc.,
groups of polyamides, like long-chain, Huntsman Corporation, Honeywell Inter-
aromatic and bio-polyamides. Thanks to national Inc., Invista S.à rl , Koch Indus-
their original properties, the new poly- tries Inc., Lealea Group, LANXESS AG,
amides not only are replacing the classi- Li Heng Chemical Fibre Technologies
cal ones in some applications but are also Limited, Li Peng Enterprise Co. Ltd.,
opening ways to entirely new uses where Nylstar SA, Radici Group, Rhodia SA
classical have failed. Royal DSM NV, Solvay SA, Shenma In-

12 Wesołowski J, Płachta K. The Polyamide Market.

FIBRES & TEXTILES in Eastern Europe 2016; 24, 6(120):12-18. DOI: 10.5604/12303666.1215537
 5500 5500

5000 5000
PA 6 PA 66
4500 4500

4000 4000
3500 3500
1000 tons/year

1000 tons/year
3000 3000
2500 2500
2000 2000
1500 1500
1000 1000
500 500
0 0
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Fibres Engineering plastics Film Fibres Engineering plastics

Figure 1. Consumption of polyamides PA6 and PA66 in 1990 - 2015 in the areas of fibres, engineering plastics and films [8].

2500 2500
PA 66
PA 6
2000 2000
1000 tons/year
1000 tons/year

1500 1500

1000 1000

500 500

0 0
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Europe Americas China Rest of Asia Europe Americas China Rest of Asia

Figure 2. Consumption of polyamides PA6 and PA66 in 1990-2015 by regions [8].

dustrial Co. Ltd, Ube Industries Ltd. etc. 2015 in the areas of fibres, engineering by increasing consumption of the mate-
[4 - 7]. plastics and films. rial in the domain of engineering plastics.

The main areas of application of polyam- Figure 2 presents the regional break- The graphs also reveal the regress which
ides are: down of PA6 and PA66 polyamide con- polyamides suffered in the world-wide fi-
nancial crisis which began in 2007, with
n the production of polyamide fibres, sumption in 1990 - 2015.
various repercussions in the consecutive
which still consumes the largest num-
years. The polyamide market slackened
ber of polyamides globally, The consumption of PA6 in fibres, en- and demand for both types of polyamides
n processing associated with polyamide gineering plastics and film distinctly was down, necessitating a reshuffle in
engineering plastic, outstripped that of PA66, used main- their production. The European scene of
n processing polyamides designated for ly in fibres and engineering plastics. polyamides is a good example of the on-
films. The very important sector of polyam- going turmoil. Demand for polyamides
ide fibres showed much slower expan- resins in 2007 in Europe was at the level
sion than engineering plastics and film. of 850 000 tons, but it dropped by about
n Consumption of polyamides The tendency is particularly strong for 6% in the next year. Restructuring steps
were taken in consequence to improve
Various tendencies on the polyamide fibre-grade PA66, whose consumption
competiveness, mainly by establishing
market at the turn of the century can be is, from the middle of the last decade, on some production facilities in Europe, for
seen from the graphs. the decrease. The American market has example BASF and Rhodia [9].
undoubtedly contributed to this develop-
Presented in Figure 1 is the consumption ment. On the other hand, the decrease of The big players started to invest in for-
of polyamides PA6 and PA66 in 1990 - PA66 in the fibre sector is accompanied eign markets, like BASF, which entered

FIBRES & TEXTILES in Eastern Europe 2016, Vol. 24, 6(120) 13

 in Romania and Hungary. The polyamide
business in Western Europe did not re-
spond to the demands by increasing pro-
polyolefins 8%
duction capacity, being rather concerned
with cost reduction [16]
polyester acrylics 3%
80%
other 2% n Polyamide fibres
polyamide 7% In 2014 polyamide fibres represented
a share of 7% of the total amount of
synthetic fibres produced world-wide.
Polyester fibres dominate the scene with
Figure 3. World market for synthetic fibres 2014 by fibre type [17].
a 80% share. Polyamide fibres are fac-
ing strong competition from polyesters
China and Korea with their production. the high domestic production, China is in many application areas. Polyesters are
DuPont‘s strategy was to expand their still a major importer of caprolactam. a universal fibre which penetrates all seg-
presence in Asia; Lanxess invested in In recent years, imports have begun to ments of the textile market, and moreo-
the USA, India and China, and Rho- stabilise at a similar level, but in 2011 ver they are cheaper to produce than pol-
dia - in China, South Korea, India and they only increased by 0.2% to 633 thou- yamides. Nonetheless polyamide fibres,
Brasil. The American company Invista sand tons. The main supplying countries with their outstanding quality, still play
Sarl, based in Wichita, started business were Russia (141 thousand tons), Japan an important role in many demanding ap-
in Asia and both Americas. BASF nearly (102 thousand tons), USA (64 thou- plications. Figure 3 illustrates the world
doubled their compounding capacities in sand  tons), Mexico (59 thousand  tons), production of synthetic fibres by type.
Pudong. close to Shanghai, and in Yesan, Belorus (55 thousand tons) and Poland
Korea from 130 000 to 225 000 tons (32 thousand tons) [15]. Polyamides are processed into textile
a year. BASF, responding to increasing filament (NTF), industrial filament (NIF)
demand for polyamides in the Chinese A number of polyamides production cent- and carpet filament (PA BCF). The list of
market, constructed and commissioned ers are located in Asia, mainly in China. consumers is quite long, with the main
in 2015 in the Shanghai Chemical In- In the last 25 years many new produc- ones being producers of: underwear,
dustry Park, a polymerisation plant for tion sites have been erected related with decorative fabrics, fabrics for apparel,
their Ultramid® (PA6 and PA66), with a polyamides used in a variety of manu- technical textiles, upholstery, floor cover-
yearly capacity of 100 000 tons. Lanxess facturing. The falling imports of poly- ing, carpets, hoses, tire cord, safety belts
has launched a new production of PA6 amides from Europe are being replaced and airbags, sewing threads, ropes, nets,
and PA66 and other compounds, with with the growing production of domes- sleeping bags, tarpaulins, tents etc.
a capacity of 20 000 t/y, in Porto Feliz, tic companies in China, satisfying the
Brasil [10 - 13]. increasing demand. Chinese exports of Recent years have seen an increase
the materials are focused mainly on the in the  production of polyamide fibres
In the background of the poor situation Asian market, while exports to Europe after the financial crisis in 2007 - 2008.
in other regions of the world, China, rep- face difficulties due to higher quality de- In 2014, world production amounted to
resenting the Far East region, emerges mands. It is Asia, in contrast to Europe, 4.55 million tons, an increase of 4,6%.
as the unquestioned leader. The Far East where new technical and R&D centers In China alone the production rose by
presently dominates the market for poly- are being opened concerned with various 215 thousand tons. The country is the big-
amide and related products. PA6 distinct- segments of the market, like electronics. gest producer, with a 51% share of world
ly prevails there over PA66. The develop- Besides domestic companies, virtually production, comprising 2.24 million tons
ment is well illustrated with the graphs in all big players on the polyamide scene (up by 11%). Far behind were the next
Figure 2. are intensifying their activity in China. biggest producing countries (regions):
Lanxess is busy in Hongkong and Wuxi, USA 571 thousand tons (up by 1%), Tai-
The production of caprolactam is surging while BASF, DSM, DuPont and Solvay wan 358 thousand tons (down by 5%)
in the Far East as a consequence of the have started activities in Shanghai. Close and Western Europe 252 thousand tons
unprecedented increase in the demand cooperation with Chinese customers is (down by 1%). The final use of poly-
for polyamides, dominated by PA6. As the goal to better adjust production to amide fibres differs in the region: use
per GBI Research, New York, the global the requirements of the local market [10, textile and industrial yarns dominate in
demand for caprolactam is rising stead- 11, 16] Asia, while BCF carpet yarns and tech-
ily. It was 3.5 and 4.15 million tons nical textile are the prime applications
in 2000 and 2011, respectively, while At the beginning of the century, a distinct in USA and Europe. After some time of
6 million tons are forecasted for 2020. increase in the demand for polyamide stability, a downswing appeared again
The share of the Far East in global cap- materials for the production of automo- in the production of polyamide staple fi-
rolactam consumption shall reach nearly tive parts could be noted in the region of bres, dropping to only 152 thousand tons.
70% in 2020. China has become the main Eastern Europe. Many car producers lo- China with 73 thousand tons, USA with
world centre of caprolactam production cated their production lines in the region 33 000 tons and Western Europe with
due to the low cost of raw materials and due to lower costs. The branch of elec- 30 thousand tons represent nearly 90%
large own demand for PA6 [14]. Despite tronics industry also surged then mainly of global polyamide staple fibre produc-

14 FIBRES & TEXTILES in Eastern Europe 2016, Vol. 24, 6(120)

tion. In 2014 the utilisation of production years of this century. Nowadays PA BCF The Netherlands and presently produced
capacities for polyamide continuous yarn finds uses rather in special products. It is by the Japanese company Tejin, Teijin-
increased on a global scale from 81% to steadily being displaced from the com- conex and Technora produced by Teijin,
83%, varying from region to region: 87% modity market by polyester BCF in the Arwen by Toray in Korea, New Star by
in China, 85% in USA and 78% in West- Americas and by polypropylene BCF Yantai Tayho, X-Fiper by SRO Group
ern Europe and Taiwan. At the same time, in Europe. PA BCF production reached in China, and Kermel by Kermel SAS
global capacity utilization of polyamide 0.765 million tons in 2010 and was down in France. Aramids are characterized by
staple fibre was as low as 56%. [18] to 0,694 million tons in 2015. A modest high mechanical strength, low shrinkage
increase up to the level of 0.733 million at elevated temperature and low creep.
The production of nylon textile filament tons is envisaged for 2020. At the dawn Aramid fibres are resistant to high tem-
(NTF) has remained stable over quite of the century, when production of both perature, organic solvents, abrasion and
a long time. Even after the recession of types of PA BCF was about 1mln tons, X-rays. The ability of self-extinguishing
2008/2009 it soon returned to the pre- the share of PA and PA66 was about 50% when in flames is quite important. The te-
crisis level, which was about 1.5 mil- each. It has since changed to a percentage nacity of the fibres practically does not
lion tons. The sector adapted itself well of 77% PA6 and 23% PA66. The upward depend upon extension. It is very impor-
to the changing demands of the market trend of PA6 is expected to continue till tant if a rapid load occurs for example in
and proved competitive against aggres- 2020 [19]. parachutes. The fibres show dimensional
sive polyesters. Since 2010 there has stability at a humidity in the range of
been an increasing demand for thinner fi- Polyamide PA 11 is one other aliphatic 15 - 95%. The change in length at such
bres for apparel, primarily for underwear. fibre-grade polyamide put on the mar- conditions does not exceed 1.5%. Prod-
The trend is particularly manifested in ket in much lower quantities than PA6 ucts made of aramid fibres are distin-
China, where the demand has surged for and PA66 fibres. It has been produced guished by good integrity at elevated
ladies underwear and anoraks produced for nearly half a century under the trade temperature, good dynamic fatigue and
with NTF yarns. The company PCI Ny- name of Rilsan by the French company dielectric properties. With all these ex-
lon forecasts a further increase in nylon Arkema. It is worth mentioning that pol- ceptional properties, the fibres are expen-
textile filament (NTF) in such uses to yamide is made of renewable resources; sive to manufacture. Priced much higher
about 2.075 million tons in 2020. Nowa- its manufacture is based on plant-derived than classical polyamides, aramids are
days about 86% of fibres in the apparel castor oil. The oil-yielding castor plant is not popular in commodities; their prime
sector are PA6 compared with a mod- much easier to cultivate than cotton. In use is in special materials. Aramid fibres
est 14% of PA66. This proportion might 2009 at the Techtextil Fair in Frankfurt, in a variety of assortments are used in
be liable to change till 2020 depending the Japanese company Unitika Fibre and composites, ballistics, aerospace, auto-
upon changeable prices of raw materi- Techcak Centre Arkema, Kioto, present- motive, asbestos substitute, telecommu-
als. What concerns polyamide fibres for ed the results of their joint R&D works: nications, and sport appliances. Braids
industrial filament (NIF) was the long- a new PA11 fibre. Unitika, which manu-
are made of aramids to shield conduc-
lasting downward trend expected after factures the fibre, claims it is light, soft,
tors designed for high temperature duty.
2000 mainly in the use of tire cord. New bacteria-resistant and abrasion- resistant.
Protective clothing against heat and other
emerging technologies and the pressure It was first put to use in car mats; appli-
hazards is also one of the application
of polyester fibres in this specific area cation is planned in shoes and bags [20].
areas. DuPont has prepared the produc-
aroused concerns whether polyamide
tion of a very strong thermal resistant
could resist the competition. However, Another group of polyamides which are
paper for electrical insulation; it is made
two tendencies bolstered polyamide fi- used in the textile industry are aromatic
of milled sintered short Nomex fibres
bres: Firstly the demand for trucks and polyamides called aramides. They are
with some other material. The paper is
buses went up in developing countries; a very important group of industrial pol-
designed for use in electrical engineer-
in heavy duty vehicles PA6 cord has ymers. Special ones among other poly-
ing, the construction of transformers and
proved to be better than the competitive amides are Kevlar and Nomex, because
loudspeakers etc.[21, 22].
polyester. Secondly an increase occurred of their possible various practical usage.
in specialised product niches like cords, Research on receiving and processing
airbags, sewing threats etc. Such ten- began in the laboratories of the research n Polyamide resins
dencies brought about a global increase company Du Pont in the USA already
in NIF fibre production from 1,172 mil- in the forties of the previous century. The share of polyamides in the global
lion tons in 2010 to 1.349 million tons in The outcome of the investigations was in market of engineering plastics is esti-
2015. A further increase to 1.426 million 1961 with the commissioning of a fibre mated at almost one third, as is shown in
tons is expected for 2020. The share of based on poly(m-phenyleneisophtala- Figure 4 (see page 16).
PA6 and PA66 fibres in the production of mide) (Pm-FIFA). The name Nomex was
NIF is about 60% and 40%, respectively. given to the fibre. Some time later, Kev- The percentages in the Figure 4 rep-
PCI Nylon is predicted to see a slight in- lar [poly(p-benzamide)] was put into pro- resent the market in the second half of
crease in the share of PA66 used by the duction. Other aramides which remained the last decade. Even in 2014, a share of
end of the decade. Less favorable is the in production over many years and were 30% of polyamides in global consump-
situation of polyamide fibres in the sec- modified are as follows: PRD-49 by Du tion was confirmed in a report prepared
tor of carpet filament (PA BCF). There Pont, Fenilon, which was started in So- by the Yano Research Institute Ltd, Tokio
has been a definite decline in the produc- viet Union, MZR Duret and X-500T [23]. Based on data provided by manu-
tion of these fibres compared to the end by Monsanto Co., AF-402 by Chem- facturers, the Institute forecasted a glob-
of the nineties of the previous and early strand, Twaron prepared by AKZO in al production of engineering plastics

FIBRES & TEXTILES in Eastern Europe 2016, Vol. 24, 6(120) 15

 ing the thickness of their walls. Conse-
quently the expensive construction of
others 16% polyamides 30% prototypes may be avoided and a chance
exists to predict the behaviour of mate-
polyacetals 10%
rials in unfavorable conditions like high
temperature or the presence of chemicals
HT plastics 2% [16, 26].
polycarbonates
33% poly(butylene
The increasing consumption of resins
terephtalates
33% which replace other construction mate-
rials is closely related with the general
trend to reduce the weight of construction
Figure 4. Global market for engineering plastics. Breakdown by type of resin.[16].
elements with maintained or improved
mechanical parameters. A good example
is the manufacture of lighter automobiles
25% electrical, aimed at reduced petrol consumption. In
electronic 12% others
recent years many of the metal parts in
cars have been replaced with polymers
and light metals like aluminum. To bet-
8% construction
ter illustrate the possible replacement,
for example, 15 kg of polyamide is ca-
14% packaging pable of replacing 30 kg of steel. Many
of the polyamide elements inside a car
increase stiffness at critical points. Pro-
41% automative duced from Ultramid B3WG6 CR bump-
ers have a construction which relieves
the  effects of a pedestrian/car collision.
Figure 5. Use of polyamide resins in various industry branches [16]. Cars are lighter and road safety is im-
proved. Considerable amounts of poly-
of 8.6 million and 9 million tons for ing segment, being used as a component amides are used in car parts like throt-
2016 and 2017, respectively, surpass- of multi-layer packaging materials. tling valves, the housing of the motor
chamber, and suction manifolds. The ele-
ing 10 million tons in 2020 [23]. As per
Polyamides are hard, tough and rigid ments reveal high stability and crack re-
the Markets and Markets’ report, the to- sistance. Some of the elements are quite
materials. Having high impact abrasion
tal value of the market for engineering massive, reaching up to 7 kg, like the
and wear resistance, they are great for
plastics in 2017 shall reach a value of twin modules in the motors for the BMW
application in the manufacture of many
76 billion US dollars [24], and according construction elements. The big players M5 sports version. Housings for air bags
to another report of the company, it will are made of a PA6 Ultramid B contain-
of the polyamide scene like BASF SE,
achieve 97 billion US dollars in 2020 at ing 40% of glass fibres. One other type of
EMS-Chemie AG and DuPont focus their
growth rate of 7.6% [25] . PA66 with a 50% content of glass fibres
activities in a specific field not only, as
is used to make adapters for coolers. Pol-
before, on large-tonnage customers. They
yamides are resistant to chemicals like
The demand for polyamide resins, pri- pay great attention to preparing new as-
crude oil products, which has triggered
marily PA6 and PA66, in the manufac- sortments for smaller enterprises which
attempts to prepare oil sumps, as well as
ture of engineering plastics sector is also need highly specialised products that
petrol-, brakes- and AC- pipes with their
were previously not accessible to them. use [16].
expected to grow. The biggest suppliers
Such companies were earlier served by
of PA6 resin are: BASF SE, DSM En-
smaller polyamide suppliers. The manu- The chance of harnessing polyamides to
gineering Plastics BV and Lanxess AG. facture and modification of polyamides meet high quality demands is the driv-
PA66 resin is provided mainly by Du- for specific applications does not bring ing force of the branch. The mechani-
Pont, Solvay (the former Rhodia SA) and success on the market, as high quality cal properties of polyamide composites
BASF SE [11]. products must be accompanied by broad with glass and carbon fibres or other
extensive technical support given to cus- polyamides often match those of met-
Figure 5 illustrates the estimated de- tomers by the producer. A good exam- als. Epic Polymers Ltd, Kaiserslautern.
mand for polyamide resin in various ap- ple of this has been seen recently using Germany has presented the material Stra-
plications. As can be seen in Figure 5, a computer-simulated selection of poly- tor XC, composed of PA66 and polyph-
amide components. The new numerical talamid (PPA) reinforced with carbon
the automotive sector is the largest con-
models take into consideration not only fibre, whose stiffness is comparable with
sumer, with grow rates of polyamides
the non- linear viscosity and plasticity of magnesium and its tenacity with steel.
higher than for other resins. The electri- the compounds but also the anisotropic High stiffness is also featured by another
cal/electronic branch is the second larg- behaviour of short glass fibres used to composite - Technyl Star AFX made by
est. The use of polyamide film dominates reinforce thermoplastic resin; thus easing Solvay from PA66 with up to 60% of
in the consumption pattern of the packag- the construction of parts by e.g. optimiz- glass fibre. Marketed by BASF, Ultramid

16 FIBRES & TEXTILES in Eastern Europe 2016, Vol. 24, 6(120)

D3EG12 HMG, a semi-aromatic poly- replace the prone-to-damage cabling Ultramid A3EG6FC, which has been ap-
amide with a 60% content of glass fibres systems, and ease the assembly. For that proved for contact with food [10].
is designed to compete with zinc and alu- sort of application BASF has prepared
minum. A very high module of elasticity the semi-crystalline, semi-aromatic tem- Most of the examples of polyamide
distinguishes the material. It has found perature-resistant Ultramid T 4381 LDS materials above point at physically or
application in the construction of back- with a laser-formed structure [10, 11, chemically modified PA6 and PA66.
rests in the BMW i3 car. Thanks to its 16, 26]. Other polyamides also come into play.
excellent mechanical characteristics, low Semi-aromatic polyamides based on
water absorbance and good dimensional In the packaging business polyamides poly(phtalamide) made by DuPont de Ne-
stability, Ultramid is replacing zinc in are primarily used in the form of film. mours, Solvay and Ems-Chemie AG are
specific parts. A solution has been devel- Single polyamide film is rarely used, used in the automotive industry. Long-
oped by the Japanese company Somic but a common application is in multi- chain polyamides like PA12 produced by
Ishikawa Inc., Hamamatsu, which was layer, transparent foil combined with Evonik Industries AG and EMS-Chemie
able to reduce the weight of backrests by other polymeric film of polyethylene, AG [11] are replacing PA 6 and PA66
about 50% in comparison to the metal polypropylene or poly(vinyl alcohol). In in products in which durability and di-
version. The automotive industry is not such films for the packing of perishable mensional stability in varying weather
the sole branch where metals are being alimentary products like cheese, meat conditions are the challenge. They are
replaced with polyamide resins. Hous- etc, the polyamide layer provides a good used mainly in situations requiring very
ings for water meters are mostly made of barrier that prevents oxygen penetration specific characteristics and in situations
bronze. BASF has elaborated a polyam- as well as loss of humidity and aroma. where their characteristics and wide area
ide called Ultramid D3EG1O Aqua ap- The polyamide component adds stabil- of usage is more important than the price.
proved for uses in contact with potable ity to the multilayer structure. The pre- The same is true of another group called
water to replace bronze and other metals sent trend in households of using small bio-polyamides, which are based on nat-
in water supply systems. Semi-aromatic packaging units for ready-made food is ural renewable resources. The dominat-
polyamide has low water absorption and expected to bolster the demand for poly- ing polymer is the long-chain polyamide
high stiffness, and is resistant to hydroly- amides in film manufacture in the com- PA11. The largest producer of the mate-
sis [11]. ing years [16]. rial is Arkema SA, which derives it from
castor oil. Other representatives in the
Polyamide resins applied in the electri- Polyamide resins also find use in build- group are polyamides PA 6,10, PA 6,12,
cal/electronic field must satisfy high de- ing. Simple stuff like door handles, pins PA10,10 and PA10,12, supplied primar-
mands for safety and flammability. Re- and handrails are often made of PA, yet ily by DuPont, Evonik Industries AG,
quired is good insulation, high resistance more advanced products are also an out- EMS-Grivory, Suzhou Hipro and BASF
to heat as well as chemical and good me- let, like special long-life, UV-resistant, SE. The polymers are an interesting
chanical properties. Works are on-going weatherproof fastening elements. Pho-
complement to the classical crude-oil-
to prepare new polyamide resins for this tovoltaics have opened a new avenue of
derived polyamides. In some specific ap-
branch. A better process ability is also application for polyamides. Several new
plications they compete with the classical
one of the goals. Improved melt flow be- grades of polyamides have recently been
ones, while in other niche uses they target
haviour provided the possibility of pro- approved for use in the construction of
high quality demands, surpassing PA6
ducing housings with thinner walls, thus photovoltaic modules, for example Ul-
and PA66. Worth mentioning is the envi-
saving material. The need to confer anti- tramid A3X2G7, Ultramid A3XZG5 and
ronmental aspect of the use of bio-poly-
flame properties emerges in the prepa- Ultramid B High Speed [10, 16].
amides. Both the material and production
ration of various elements and parts for
technologies are environment-friendly.
industrial installations, civil engineering The list of other possible applications for
Prices higher in comparison to crude-oil-
constructions and households. Additives polyamides is quite long, with the  fol-
derived polymers presently pose a barrier
used for this purpose in polyamides are lowing being a few examples of estab-
for wider use, which may change in the
compounds based on halides, antimony, lished, common uses: gear wheels, ma-
future with the rising prices of the clas-
phosphorus, nitrogen or hydroxides of chinery parts, pressure pipes, wheels for
metals. Examples of polyamide resins prams, fishing lines, monofilaments for sical materials and tax relief, privileging
with reduced flammability are Ultramids brushes, strings for tennis rockets, aero- natural materials. Their increasing use
made by BASF and selected Durethans sol containers, blood bags, syringe cath- will certainly depend upon interesting
by Lanxess. Ultramid A3X is a PA66 eters and many more. Extensive research properties and new possible application
polymer with the addition of red phos- is devoted to finding new material com- areas. The emerging possibility of blend-
phorus, which effectively reduces flam- binations and new fields of use, which ing nature-derived polymers with fossil-
mability. An admixture of long glass fi- demonstrates the great versatility of these derived ones may bring such a chance.
bres to the polymer adds high strength at materials, whose properties can be very The blending may also lead to favorable
even a low temperature, and low creep- successfully adapted to specific require- price/ output/ quality proportions [27].
ing at high temperature. DuPont makes ments in other areas. An example might
another halide-free PA66 named Zytel® be the interest shown in polyamides by
n Summary
FR95G25V0NH, which shows high age- the furniture designers Bouroullec broth-
ing resistance at elevated temperature. ers, who designed the so-called “Chairs The polyamide market is a mature mar-
Innovative in the branch of electrical/ plant”. Another example is the design ket and well developed. We can observe
electronics are polymeric elements with of the design studio ding3000 so-called growth tendencies in terms of its global
integrated circuits on their surface which “Joined cutlery”, based on polyamide size as well as predicted production

FIBRES & TEXTILES in Eastern Europe 2016, Vol. 24, 6(120) 17

growth in future years. In spite of the fact 6. Global Industry Analysts Inc., Report Ny- 100% vegetable origin produced from
that polyamides can be used in classi- lon – A global strategic business repor”, Rilsan® PA11.
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Global Engineering Plastics Market: Key
tics) & Application (Textile, Automotive,
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an integrated part of various, individual markets.com/ Market-Reports/polyam- Engineering Plastics Market Worth
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9. Chemical Fiber International 2015; 1: 28 prnewswire.com/news-releases/mar-
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Specialized Cases. Kunststoffe Interna-
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global-nylon.asp high performance synthetic fiber of Received 29.07.2015 Reviewed 02.11.2016

INSTITUTE OF BIOPOLYMERS AND CHEMICAL FIBRES

Team of Synthetic Fibres
The team conducts R&D in melt spinning of synthetic fibres
Main research Fields:
n processing of thermoplatic polymers to fibres:
n classic LOY spinning:
n fibres of round and profiled cross-section and hollow fibres, n special fibres including  bioactive and  biodegradable fibres
n technical fibres, eg. hollow fibres for gas separation, filling fibres for concrete
n bicomponent fibres:
n side-to-side (s/s) type  self-crimping and self-splitting, n core/sheath (c/s) type
n processing of thermoplastic polymers to nonwovens, monofilaments, bands and other fibrous materials directly spun from the polymer melt,
n assessment of fibre-forming properties of thermoplastic polymers including testing of filterability
Equipment:
Pilot-scale equipment for conducting investigations in melt spinning of fibres :
n spinning frames for:
n continuous fibresof 15-250 dtex, n bicomponent continuous fibres of 20 – 200 dtex)
n drawing frames for continuous filament of 15 – 2000 dtex
n laboratory stand for spun bonded nonwoven 30 cm width
n laboratory stand for investigations in the field of staple fibres (crimping, cutting line)
n laboratory injection molding machine with a maximum injection volume of 128 cm3
n testing devices (Dynisco LMI 4003 plastometer, Brabender Plasticorder PLE 330 with laboratory film extrusion
device), n monofilament line for monofilaments of 0.3 – 1 mm diameter
Implemented technologies (since 2000):
n texturized polyamide fibres modified with amber for preparation of special antirheumatic products, n polyolefin hollow fibres for gas separation
n bioactive  polypropylene POY fibres,
n modified  polypropylene yarns, n polyolefin fibres manufactured from  PP/PE wastes

Contact:
Team Leader: Krystyna Twarowska-Schmidt, Ph.D., Eng. tel: +48 42 638 03 24, e-mail: [email protected]

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