High-heat stabilised PA66 grades

The global nylon 6 and 66 market is growing steadily by as much as 6.1% per annum until 2025.

Rapidly expanding demand for this material type is pushing the market which is projected to reach $41.13 billion by 2025 - with the automotive sector accounting for about $11.26 billion, according to the forecast of ResearchAndMarkets.com. The market is expected to witness growth due to intensifying focus on fuel-efficient and less polluting vehicles as manufacturers shift from using metals to plastics. With nylon being lightweight and heat resistant, it has become an alternative material for automotive manufacturers. Nylon 6 accounts for the largest consumption share in the total nylon resin market, with most of the demand being generated from the textile industry. However, there is an increasing trend of nylon 66 consumption from the engineering plastic industry which is now using nylon 66 to manufacture plastic products, replacing PVC, according to the report.

Nylon 6 currently dominates the global market with around 60% of total demand in 2016 but the report stated that increasing adaptation of nylon 66 in engineering plastics to replace traditional plastic has been responsible for the market growth. In Europe alone, the consumption of nylon (6 and 66) is projected to reach 2.8 million tonnes by 2025. The Asia- Pacific is the epicenter of nylon 6 production while Europe and North America are expected to attain a stronghold in the nylon 66 market by the end of 2025.

Enhanced PA66 grades

The traditional PA66 grades have been further enhanced to meet market demand. In this aspect, Ascend Performance Materials, the largest fully integrated producer of polyamide 66 (PA66) resin, has launched new grades of its Vydyne® PA66 for cable ties and fasteners, films, and electronic and electrical applications at K 2019.