Caprolactam

    • Product Name: Caprolactam
    • Chemical Name (IUPAC): Azepan-2-one
    • CAS No.: 105-60-2
    • Chemical Formula: C6H11NO
    • Form/Physical State: Flakes/Powder/Solid
    • Factroy Site: Yunxi District, Yueyang City, Hunan Province
    • Price Inquiry: sales4@ascent-chem.com
    • Manufacturer: Sinopec Baling Petrochemical Co., Ltd.
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    Specifications

    HS Code

    994948

    Cas Number 105-60-2
    Molecular Formula C6H11NO
    Molecular Weight 113.16 g/mol
    Appearance White crystalline solid
    Melting Point 68-70°C
    Boiling Point 267°C
    Solubility In Water Very soluble
    Density 1.01 g/cm³ at 25°C
    Flash Point 130°C
    Odor Faint, musty
    Ph 1 Solution 7-8
    Vapor Pressure 0.01 mmHg at 20°C

    As an accredited Caprolactam factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.

    Packing & Storage
    Packing Caprolactam is packaged in 25 kg net weight, moisture-proof, sealed polypropylene bags, typically labeled with product details and hazard warnings.
    Container Loading (20′ FCL) Container Loading (20′ FCL) for Caprolactam typically involves packing 20 metric tons in 1000 kg bags for efficient, safe international transport.
    Shipping Caprolactam is typically shipped in bulk as a liquid or solid, using stainless steel tankers, drums, or bags, depending on the form and quantity. It must be protected from moisture and contamination. Proper labeling, adherence to local regulations, and safety measures—such as ventilation and spill control—are essential during transport.
    Storage Caprolactam should be stored in tightly closed containers made of stainless steel or lined with suitable materials, in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. The storage area should be equipped with spill containment, separated from incompatible substances like strong acids and oxidizers, and have proper labeling to ensure safety and prevent contamination.
    Shelf Life Caprolactam typically has a shelf life of one year when stored in cool, dry conditions in tightly sealed containers, away from sunlight.
    Application of Caprolactam

    Applications of Caprolactam in Industrial Manufacturing

    Caprolactam is a vital organic intermediate used by global manufacturers to produce a range of polyamide-based products. Its application covers multiple industrial sectors, with each scenario demanding precise integration, regulatory compliance, and end-product specifications. Our manufacturing expertise supports downstream users with consistent caprolactam quality, traceability, and application support across major industries.

    1. Polyamide 6 (Nylon 6) Fiber Production

    More than 90% of industrial caprolactam is polymerized to produce Polyamide 6 (PA6) fibers, serving the textile, automotive, and carpet industries. Manufacturers feed caprolactam directly into continuous polymerization lines. The monomer undergoes ring-opening polymerization at elevated temperatures in controlled environments, often under strict material purity and moisture removal requirements. Producers adjust catalyst and additive levels based on fiber tenacity or dyeing demands. End-use properties such as abrasion resistance, tensile strength, and color fastness depend on strict raw material qualification and process discipline.

    Industry compliance standards

    • ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management in Fiber Manufacturing)
    • OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 (Textile Safety)
    • EN 14879-4 (Corrosion Protection for Processing Equipment)
    • ZDHC MRSL (Input Chemical Management in Apparel/Textile)

    Typical usage ratio

    • Caprolactam comprises 97–99% of the polymer feedstock by mass. Relative amounts of water (1–3%) and initiators are adjusted to control polymerization rate and molecular weight distribution.

    Downstream process integration

    • Fed into liquid-phase polymerization reactors, followed by pelletization or direct melt spinning for fiber extrusion lines.
    • Prepolymer and block copolymerization can be applied for specialty textile grades.

    Final product types

    • Nylon 6 staple fiber for carpets and industrial nonwovens
    • High-tenacity filament yarn for tire cords
    • Textured yarn for fashion apparel and hosiery
    • Monofilaments for fishing nets and technical textiles

    2. Polyamide 6 Engineering Plastics Compounding

    Caprolactam is the foundational monomer in the manufacture of molded engineering plastics based on Polyamide 6 resins. After polymerization, compounding plants blend nylon chips with glass fibers, flame retardants, impact modifiers, and lubricants in twin-screw extruders. Material performance depends largely on monomer purity, with downstream users focusing on dimensional stability, mechanical strength, and molding properties for technical product applications. Strict monitoring of monomer residuals and additive compatibilities is essential to meet end-user product certifications and compound stability targets.

    Industry compliance standards

    • ISO 1874-1:2021 (Polyamide—PA6 Molding and Extrusion Materials)
    • UL 94 (Flame Retardancy for Plastics)
    • VDA 231-106 (Automotive Quality for Technical Plastics)
    • RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU (Restriction of Hazardous Substances)

    Typical usage ratio

    • Caprolactam-derived PA6 resins comprise 60–90% of compound formulations by weight. Glass fibers or minerals account for the balance, depending on end-use requirements.

    Downstream process integration

    • Integrated as base resin in compounding lines equipped with feeders for reinforcing and performance additives.
    • Melt blended and granulated for use in injection molding and extrusion operations.

    Final product types

    • Automotive radiator end tanks and engine covers
    • Appliance housings and tool handles
    • Electrical cable insulation and connector housings
    • Consumer electronics parts

    3. Films and Packaging Materials

    The food and industrial packaging sector relies on the excellent mechanical and barrier properties of nylon films produced from caprolactam. Polyamide 6 resins serve as the base material in biaxial stretching processes for creating multilayer films with high puncture resistance and low oxygen transmission rates. Packaging converters focus on food contact compliance, migration levels, and laminate bonding performance. Achieving high clarity, sealability, and regulatory acceptance in multilayer films requires caprolactam with minimal impurities and optimized polymer molecular weight distribution.

    Industry compliance standards

    • FDA 21 CFR 177.1500 (PA6 Resins for Food Contact)
    • EU Regulation 10/2011 (Plastic Materials in Food Packaging)
    • GMP EC 2023/2006 (Good Manufacturing Practice for FCMs)
    • REACH Registration (SVHC Screening in Film Grades)

    Typical usage ratio

    • Caprolactam-based PA6 forms 60–100% of monolayer films and 10–40% in multilayer structures, adjusted by performance target and laminate partners.

    Downstream process integration

    • Supplied as granulate for extrusion casting, blown film, and lamination lines.
    • Incorporated before co-extrusion and orientation stages for packaging film production.

    Final product types

    • Vacuum packaging pouches for cheese and meats
    • Thermoforming and lidding films for ready-food trays
    • Industrial liners and technical wrapping films
    • Medical device flexible packaging

    4. Industrial Monomer for Polyamide 6 Copolymers

    Advanced applications in fibers, films, and engineering plastics use caprolactam as a key reactive monomer in block and random copolymer synthesis. Producers blend it with other lactams or dicarboxylic acids to achieve tailored melting points, improved dyeing properties, antistatic performance, and balanced impact/modulus ratios. Polymerization sequence, catalyst selection, and comonomer ratios require precise management during continuous or batch production. Selection of caprolactam quality determines downstream color stability and copolymer consistency, especially under stringent performance specifications in automotive or industrial grades.

    Industry compliance standards

    • ISO 16396-1 (Polyamide Copolymer Engineering Materials)
    • ISO 21306-2:2020 (Plastic Films—Polyamide Copolymers)
    • Automotive OEM compounder requirements (e.g., Renault, Volkswagen Group, GM specifications)
    • European Pharmacopoeia (for medical grade copolyamides)

    Typical usage ratio

    • Caprolactam content ranges from 20% to 95% in copolymer blends. The ratio varies according to target glass transition temperature, barrier properties, and mechanical performance specifications.

    Downstream process integration

    • Added at the initial polymer charge, co-reacted in controlled sequences for block or random copolymerization.
    • Blended with comonomers such as laurolactam, adipic acid, or hexamethylenediamine in production reactors.

    Final product types

    • Heat-resistant technical fibers
    • Copolymerized PA6 films for flexible packaging and electronics
    • Impact-modified molded components for automotive interiors
    • Medical tubing and device housings

    5. Adhesives and Hot-Melt Resin Manufacture

    Reactive caprolactam finds specialized use as a feedstock for thermoplastic adhesives and hot-melt resins. Downstream manufacturers formulate polyamide-based adhesives with varying chain lengths for paper-laminating, bookbinding, wood assembly, and electronic components. Exact melt viscosity, open time, and adhesion parameters are tested by adjusting primary monomer ratios and through end-group modification. Caprolactam selection focuses on purity, reactivity, and minimal cyclic dimer content to ensure final product suitability for industrial assembly and lamination environments.

    Industry compliance standards

    • EN 923:2005 (Terminology and Testing of Adhesives)
    • FDA 21 CFR 175.105 (Adhesives in Food Packaging)
    • ASTM D1002 (Lap Shear Strength of Hot-Melt Adhesives)
    • ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management in Adhesive Production)

    Typical usage ratio

    • Caprolactam-derived polyamides typically constitute 40–95% of hot-melt adhesive formulations, with plasticizers, tackifiers, and stabilizers used as required for application-specific properties.

    Downstream process integration

    • Introduced during polycondensation steps, then pelletized and formulated with melts in compounding mixers or extruders.
    • Variations in polymerization degree are tailored according to viscosity and open time requirements.

    Final product types

    • Hot-melt adhesives for paper and packaging laminates
    • Bookbinding glues
    • Woodworking and shoe assembly adhesives
    • Industrial carton and case sealing products

    6. Specialty Coatings and Surface Finishes

    In coatings technology, caprolactam acts as a synthetic intermediate for surface-toughened polyamide finishes. These coatings provide chemical resistance, flexibility, and abrasion protection for metal, wood, and concrete substrates in industrial and infrastructural projects. Coating producers require tight controls on ring impurity and color, as the monomer is prepolymerized or copolymerized with crosslinkers before onsite or factory application. Curing and flow characteristics depend on the degree of polymerization and resin formulation technique.

    Industry compliance standards

    • ISO 12944 (Corrosion Protection of Steel Structures by Protective Paint Systems)
    • REACH Compliance for Industrial Chemicals
    • ASTM D523 (Gloss Measurement in Coatings)
    • DIN EN 13523-10 (Resistance to Chemicals for Organic Coatings)

    Typical usage ratio

    • Caprolactam makes up 25–85% of polyamide resins used in coating binders, depending on required layer thickness and flexibility.

    Downstream process integration

    • Processed into prepolymer resins, later blended with solvents, pigments, and curing agents in coating manufacture.
    • Applied via spray, roller, or dip methods to industrial components or infrastructure.

    Final product types

    • Anti-corrosive primers for steel bridges and pipelines
    • Floor and tank linings for chemical plants
    • Surface coatings for machinery components
    • Protective finishes for wood panels and concrete tiles

    Free Quote

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    Certification & Compliance
    More Introduction

    Caprolactam: Backbone of Polyamide Production from a Manufacturer’s View

    What Drives the Crafting of Caprolactam

    Caprolactam runs through our plant lines in a form that has shaped synthetic materials for decades. As a producer who has monitored every batch that leaves our reactors, I can say that quality and consistency define the way this lactam behaves in the real world. From the shop floor to the labs, you learn there’s no shortcut in the science and art behind caprolactam production. Raw materials, energy, water, skilled operators—they all funnel into the same goal: a product that carries the demands of today’s fiber and plastics industry.

    Key Features: What Comes Out of Our Reactors

    Our grade of caprolactam typically leaves the reactor as white crystalline flakes or granules, commonly packaging at a purity of 99.9% or higher. Moisture remains minimal, and ash content stays well below established tolerance levels—precision that growers in fiber extrusion and injection molding expect. With our process control, we keep ammonium and cyclohexanone traces at bay so nothing compromises polymer chain growth downstream.

    The model most clients request falls in the FC/HI grade range, built for spinning into nylon-6 fibers that end up in everything from textiles and carpets to tire cord, fishing nets, and engineering plastics. Our direct customers watch color, transparency, and melting performance. In textile-grade caprolactam, a transparent, colorless melt with a controlled end-group profile keeps polymerization results on target. Our experience has shown that fiber factories react quickly to hues or polymer fluctuations—they notice the origin of every error, and we take that seriously.

    Why Caprolactam Matters—Up Close and Day-to-Day

    Working from the ground up in a manufacturing environment, it becomes clear just how far caprolactam reaches. Nylon-6's journey starts here, from cyclohexanone and hydroxylamine to the monomer, to polymer, to yarn, to the clothing and carpeting in offices, cars, and homes across the globe. A mistake at any stage—off-spec product, impurity spike, process drift—ripples through the supply chain. Unlike bulk commodity materials, technical grade caprolactam calls for stringent attention throughout processing, and operators on the plant floor see how tight the safety and purity windows need to be.

    We’ve worked closely with downstream polymer plants, troubleshooting foam, spot defects, or yellowing from trace contamination. Teams swap insights: water quality impacts hydrolysis rates, trace iron or oil causes fiber breaks. We invest in automatically cleaning crystallizers and real-time online purity monitors. Yields and product reputation track back to vigilance across these steps.

    Years of feedback loops refine not just purity specs, but particle size distribution, packaging format, and bulk density. For example, larger granules handle better in automated feeding systems, while powder is only used in controlled, small-scale R&D efforts.

    Differences from Other Products: From Chemistry to End Use

    Caprolactam stands out among monomers for the nylon family because of its ring structure and controlled reactivity. Unlike hexamethylenediamine or adipic acid, it requires only two process steps for conversion to polyamide-6, skipping the salt formation needed in nylon-6,6 production. As a manufacturer, this reduces solvent use, salt waste, and complexity. It translates to less environmental burden and improved process efficiency—outcomes we consistently aim for in each production cycle.

    Compared to imported competitive material, our caprolactam avoids the risk of long storage or transport exposure that can impact color or viscosity. Customers have told us supply disruptions—even minor shipping delays—can leave them with off-grade batches, issues minimized through our local inventory planning and proximity.

    Caprolactam delivers a blend of flexibility and performance not found in every comparable feedstock. Its reactivity lends itself to continuous polymerization, which means steady product for fiber spinning lines running 24/7. One upstream hiccup, like increased moisture or free acid, can clog a plant’s spinneret, halting a hundred tons of output. This hard-earned experience drives our commitment to lot-by-lot traceability and robust logistics.

    Where Caprolactam Goes: Applications with Real-World Impact

    Nearly every major producer faces daily reminders of where their output lands. From our plant view, over 90% of caprolactam heads straight into nylon-6 production. That means clothing—a constant presence on store racks and workwear lines. Industrial yarns head to technical textiles: airbags, seat belts, ropes, nets. High-strength fibers wind up in automotive parts, cable sheathing, tire reinforcement, and even engineered films.

    Engineering plastics, molded in factories from the supplied resin, take shape as gears, bearings, and tools under car hoods and inside appliances. The flat-sheet market matters too. Clear extruded nylon sheets serve as barriers, covers, and glazing, valued for durability and chemical resistance—the monomer’s purity determines the resilience of each end-product.

    Our relationships with manufacturers and suppliers reinforce that there’s no “unimportant” downstream user. Small-volume R&D labs give us early warnings about off-odor or residual monomer, while global textile groups put pressure on maintaining year-over-year consistency and predictable performance—critical when their end-users demand quality in visible, everyday objects.

    Process Control and Industry Standards

    Living with the actual process means understanding every lever, valve, and reactor nuance. Reactor temperature, pH, and feed rate all feed into the final outcome—variables that never turn into routine, no matter how many batches you run. Over the years, we’ve seen how updates in control systems and analytical equipment (NIR, GC, HPLC) flag impurities faster. Catching a trace of cyclohexanone or moisture hours earlier can save thousands of dollars and countless work-hours at our customer’s site.

    Our plant operates under international standards like ISO 9001, with documentation of every critical control point and a culture that values direct operator feedback as much as lab analysis. Maintenance routines, proactive service of steam traps, raw material tracking, and detailed operator logs keep yields high and incident rates low.

    Keeping up with regulatory change—especially restrictions on downstream polymer toxicity and environmental impact—pushes us to refine processes further, limit secondary emissions, and improve recovery systems. This work always finds justification beyond compliance: it brings tangible benefits to our partners, who rely on caprolactam free of detectable nitrosamines, phenol, or other banned substances.

    Minimizing Environmental Impact: Manufacturing with Responsibility

    For everyone who works with the challenges of bulk chemical production, energy use and emissions concern us every day. Caprolactam production, with its roots in the cyclohexanone-oxime process, releases byproducts like ammonium sulfate. Plant upgrades have steadily driven these down: today, integrated units recover ammonium sulfate as a fertilizer-grade coproduct, and mother liquor is treated to near-zero loss. That’s not accidental—it’s a hard response to stricter discharge standards and real industry feedback.

    Heat recovery from exothermic steps now powers downstream evaporation or supplies energy to solvent distillation units. With bigger focus on sustainability, we scrutinize each step for waste: condensates get recycled; off-gases route to thermal oxidizers; solid waste gets minimized through onsite treatment. Every ton saved matters not just for costs but for plant safety and the local environment.

    Years ago, our R&D focused only on yield. Today, consumer demand for sustainable fibers makes us rethink catalysts, biological options, and closed-loop practices. We are actively engaged in partnerships to develop alternative production routes—bio-based cyclohexanone, second-generation feedstocks, and routes that sidestep common waste issues from the caprolactam process.

    Technical Support: What Manufacturers Learn from Direct Dialogue

    Supporting customer success, not just sales, means technical service takes a large role. Over the years, our teams have visited fiber and plastics customers to help troubleshoot run-to-run polymerization, fluctuating melt viscosities, or unexplained color shifts. Operators walk end-users through adjusting dosing, drying, and melt temperatures and exchange best practices in extrusion and molding, based on direct production data.

    Problems don’t get resolved over the phone or email alone. Sending technical managers onsite, spending time with line operators, and pulling samples at the point of use gives a clearer picture than any sales spec sheet or generic FAQ. Repeat issues—dust formation in high-speed feeding, coil buildup in reactors, corrosion at handling interfaces—let us spot areas to improve upstream.

    We keep up with current fiber developments, such as low-temperature spinning or demand for ultra-clean monomer for electronics casing. Input from customers steers process improvements that make real-world impact, like inline filtration upgrades, antifoam protocols, or alternative antioxidant packages for more stable caprolactam in bulk storage.

    Direct engagement serves more than quality claims—it builds trust. Our customers know if they call with a product issue, a team is prepared to respond, diagnose, and support recovery.

    Logistics and Packaging: Ensuring Quality from Plant Door to End Use

    For a producer, caprolactam’s journey does not end at the factory gate. Product integrity in transit has direct impact on performance at the customer’s site. Containers must be clean, moisture-tight, and promptly offloaded to limit hydrolysis and contamination. Over time, we’ve moved from simple bulk bags to vacuum-packed, foil-lined drums and customized silo deliveries.

    Temperature swings during shipping can degrade the product, especially in warmer climates. Layered, insulated packaging helps preserve caprolactam quality, so our customers receive a feedstock as pure and reliable as the one we test before dispatch. Regular checks and updated protocols further prevent rust, condensation, and cross-contamination.

    The lessons from the field drive continuous improvement. A delay at port or improper warehouse protocol can spoil a whole truckload. Experience teaches the value of screening carriers, training handlers, and frequent audits of the entire supply chain. Keeping traceability across lots, dates, and delivery modes lets customers pinpoint issues—and lets us offer credible solutions.

    Safety and Handling from the Manufacturing Standpoint

    Manufacturers live with the realities of chemical risk and workplace safety. Caprolactam, while not considered highly hazardous, poses irritation hazards during melting and loading. Plant operators respect tight ventilation, use PPE, and invest in spill containment as a matter of routine.

    Handling large-scale deliveries or railcar transfers means real-time monitoring, fast containment planning, and regular drills. Every incident becomes a learning opportunity for the plant and the customer. Direct customer feedback about handling pain points—in dusting, odor management, or tank unloading—feeds back into our safety programs.

    Surprise audits or external stakeholder visits keep everyone focused. You cannot fake a safety culture—especially in an environment where people rely daily on proper containment, hygiene, and clear labeling.

    Market Trends and Shifts—Manufacturer's Perspective

    Staying in the manufacturing business brings you face-to-face with changes in fiber and plastics demand, global pricing cycles, and supply chain disruptions. Nylon-6 faces pressure from new applications in lightweight vehicles, electronics, and sports equipment. Traditional textile uses shift regionally, but growing demand for recycled and bio-based polyamides is unmistakable.

    Producers like us adapt by evaluating not just production throughput but also recyclability, monomer recovery, and integration with circular economy efforts. Our plant teams study waste to monomer recovery, with pilot projects reclaiming cyclohexanone and even depolymerized nylon-6—from industrial waste, post-consumer textiles, and used carpets.

    This matters not only for environmental goals but also as a response to resource volatility. Direct input from customers on recycled feedstock compatibility and polymer quality lets us trial solutions with real impact, rather than relying on isolated lab tests or industry forecasts.

    Continuous Improvement: Learning from Challenges

    No manufacturer, no matter the batch size or years of operation, can afford complacency. Routine production reviews, operator insights, and close monitoring of purity and physical properties guard against drift. We tweak process chemistry, hardware, and controls to match shifts in raw material profiles or customer specs.

    We have set up internal cross-functional groups—operators, technologists, maintenance—to solve recurring production issues: reducing cycle times, cutting water and energy use, and fine-tuning impurity removal. A plant culture that encourages direct reporting, open critique, and data-driven decisions creates products that stay resilient in face of market, regulatory, or technical change.

    Feedback from customers and partners shapes our path forward. Whether it’s traceability enhancements through digital batch records, or deploying real-time online analysis tools, each gain reflects lessons learned over years of partnering with others in the polyamide value chain.

    Why the Manufacturer’s Perspective Matters

    Manufacturers like us understand that caprolactam means much more than a commodity. Each shipment connects to livelihoods—factory workers, truck drivers, R&D chemists, customers bringing durable goods to market. A slip in quality, a supply disruption, an unaddressed technical issue—each lands with real-world consequences.

    Direct experience, seen in shift logs and daily production checks, gives insight that raw specs or infographics cannot deliver. Plant teams see the big picture: regulatory shifts, raw materials volatility, changing customer priorities, and the push toward circularity. Every learning from plant operations, every improvement in process yield or purity, feeds back into stronger partnerships across multiple industries.

    End-users trust manufacturers for more than just product—they trust us to safeguard performance, sustainability, and steady progress. Our plant invests not out of obligation, but in recognition that every batch of caprolactam is a building-block for progress, innovation, and daily life.