Invista Doubles Nylon 6,6 Production Capacity in Shanghai

INVISTA Nylon Chemicals (China) Co. has successfully completed the expansion of its Nylon 6,6 polymer facility at the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park (SCIP), following a strategic investment of 1.75 billion RMB (240 million USD). This expansion has doubled the site’s annual production capacity to 400,000 tons, positioning it as a key asset in enhancing INVISTA’s integrated Nylon 6,6 value chain. The increased capacity will enable the company to better meet the rising demand for premium products, ensure a more reliable local supply, and accelerate market responsiveness, thereby supporting the growth of downstream applications.

The event brought together key industry leaders and government officials, reflecting the significance of the occasion. Among the attendees were Ruan Li, director general of the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park Administrative Committee, and Pang Guanglian, executive board member and vice secretary general of the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation, along with other officials from various Shanghai Municipal Government agencies and representatives from SCIP. INVISTA's senior leadership was well-represented, including Nancy Kowalski, executive vice president of Upstream Nylon Global, Brook Vickery, senior vice president of Global Operations, Gary Knight, chairman of INVISTA Nylon Chemicals (China), and Kyle Redinger, vice president of Upstream Nylon Asia Pacific.

Located within the SCIP, INVISTA’s expanded polymer site seamlessly integrates with its existing facilities, leveraging the proximity to upstream adiponitrile (ADN) and hexamethylene diamine (HMD) operations. This strategic alignment not only enhances production efficiency but also strengthens R&D capabilities through the Asia Innovation Center. The site employs INVISTA’s advanced Nylon 6,6 polymerization technology, which uses an aqueous solution method for preparing Nylon 6,6 salts, eliminating the need for chemical solvents. This approach streamlines production, boosts safety and environmental performance, and is more energy-efficient compared to alternative methods.

Ruan Li, director general of the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park (SCIP) Administrative Committee, acknowledged INVISTA's significant contributions and leadership in advancing the Nylon industry within SCIP. He noted that INVISTA's cooperation has been instrumental in developing a competitive and cutting-edge Nylon industry base at SCIP, underscoring the importance of their partnership in driving the park's industrial growth and innovation.

During the construction phase, a modular approach was adopted to minimize disruption to ongoing production and ensure continuity of business operations. Sixty-three pre-built modules were fabricated offsite and subsequently transported to the INVISTA facility.

Pang Guanglian, executive board member and vice secretary general of the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation, highlighted INVISTA's leadership in the Nylon industry, noting its consistent role in driving technological innovation and setting market trends. He emphasized that the doubling of INVISTA's Nylon 6,6 production capacity in Shanghai demonstrates the company's strong response to current market demands and its keen understanding of future industry developments. This expansion underscores INVISTA's commitment to leading the industry's growth and innovation.

INVISTA’s Nylon 6,6 polymer delivers a range of robust performance advantages, including superior heat resistance, hydrolysis stability, and abrasion resistance, making it an ideal alternative to metal in the manufacturing of high-strength, corrosion-resistant, and lightweight components. This versatile material is also well-suited for producing popular consumer goods, such as functional apparel and outdoor equipment, which are seeing increasing demand in line with rising living standards.