INVISTA, a global leader in chemical intermediates, polymers, and fibers, and Epoch Biodesign, a pioneer in enzymatic plastic recycling, have announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance post-consumer recycled nylon 6,6.
The partnership will combine Epoch’s AI-engineered recycling enzymes with INVISTA’s polymerization expertise and global reach, aiming to produce virgin-quality nylon 6,6 at commercial scale—a critical material used in apparel, automotive, and industrial applications. Scaling recycled solutions to meet customer demands has long been a challenge for the industry.
"INVISTA is committed to exploring innovative technologies that can improve the sustainability and resilience of nylon 6,6 supply chains,” said INVISTA Global Sustainability Director Ethel Garnier.
“With this collaboration, both INVISTA and Epoch are applying their comparative advantage to develop solutions to a market need for recycled nylon 6,6. We look forward to working with Epoch to advance this important project and continuing to provide high-quality products that meet our customers’ needs.”
Epoch Biodesign CEO Jacob Nathan called the collaboration “a defining moment.” He said, “When your recycling technology is chosen from a global set of options by a company whose heritage is directly linked to the invention of nylon 6,6, it is clearly a defining moment."
"We are excited to increase momentum towards our goal of global deployment; this is a clear message that one of the largest producers of nylon 6,6 believes in our technology and the need for effective, enzymatic recycling at commercial scale. Working with INVISTA will accelerate real change in the materials supply chain, advancing the industry beyond existing recycling approaches, transforming waste into virgin-equivalent products.”
The MoU marks the start of a structured collaboration. Technical assessment and polymer qualification are already underway, with application performance testing set to follow.
