Invista, a US-based producer of chemical intermediates, polymers and fibers, said it has entered a "new era of nylon" by completing an expansion of its polymer site in Shanghai on Aug 8, which will double its annual capacity of nylon 6,6 polymer to 400,000 metric tons.

This will provide additional stable local supply and faster market response to harness the growth potential of downstream applications, Invista's senior executives said.

The project is a critical part of maximizing the value of the company's integrated nylon 6,6 value chain to meet growing demand for high-quality products, said Kyle Redinger, Invista's vice-president of upstream nylon business in Asia-Pacific.

"China has been really the focus of our investment strategies over the past decade … And we continue to expect China to be the largest nylon consumption region in the world within the next couple of years. So we continue to invest …both our investments and what we're doing with our partners, to be able to support that. This is an extremely important piece of our global business," said Redinger.

He further said the polymer capacity can satisfy market demand for further development.

Pang Guanglian, vice-secretary-general of the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation, said, "To double Invista's nylon 6,6 production capacity in Shanghai is not only a strong response to current market demand but also an effort to precisely grasp future development trends."

"We are proud that we have a fully integrated value chain in Shanghai. Here, we have a world-scale hexamethylene diamine (HMD) plant, an adiponitrile (ADN) plant, a nylon 6,6 polymer site and an Asia innovation center, making us a company owning one of the largest integrated facilities for intermediates and polymers worldwide," said Gary Knight, chairman of Invista Nylon Chemicals (China).

Invista's nylon 6,6 polymer boasts comprehensive performance benefits, including resistance to heat, hydrolysis and abrasion. It can replace metal for the production of high-strength, corrosion-resistant and low-density parts.

The material can be also used to make consumer products, including functional apparel and outdoor equipment.

"As for its characteristics like being resistant to abrasion and high temperatures, there are also huge application opportunities in new energy vehicles," said Yang Guang, Invista's senior director of upstream nylon in Asia-Pacific.

Redinger said: "Over the last 10 years, the global nylon 6,6 industry has intermittently faced product shortages, leading to a lack of confidence among end users. However, the key message from our investments and support for partners in China is that such fears should now be dispelled.

"Nylon 6,6 should be chosen for its performance characteristics without supply concerns. We have ensured sufficient supply to meet market demand alongside our partners and will continue to support as needed. This is what we call the new era of nylon 6,6, and we believe that everything we and our partners have done over the past more than 10 years has been in anticipation of a new era that holds great opportunities."

Situated in Shanghai Chemical Industry Park in Shanghai's Jinshan district, the expanded polymer site is fully integrated with Invista's existing facilities, connecting upstream ADN and HMD facilities and empowering research and development through its Asia innovation center.

The site deploys a technology that simplifies the production process, with enhanced safety and environmental performance. It is also more energy-efficient than alternative technologies, the company said.