Advancing Nylon 66 Supply Security Through Domestic Adiponitrile Production in China
Strategic Importance of Adiponitrile in the Nylon Value Chain
Adiponitrile is a critical intermediate in the production of nylon 66, a high-performance polymer widely used in automotive components, rail transportation, aerospace, electronics, and electrical applications. Due to its central position in the nylon value chain, stable access to adiponitrile plays a decisive role in ensuring the reliability and competitiveness of downstream manufacturing sectors.
For an extended period, domestic nylon 66 production in China relied heavily on imported adiponitrile, creating structural vulnerabilities in supply security and cost stability. Addressing this dependency has been a strategic objective for the country’s chemical and materials industries.
Industrialization of Butadiene-Based Adiponitrile Technology
A major milestone has been achieved with the successful industrial-scale operation of China’s first adiponitrile production facility based on the butadiene process. The project, with a designed capacity of 200,000 metric tons per year, is operated by Tianchen Qixiang New Materials Co., Ltd., a holding subsidiary of China Tianchen Engineering Corporation, under China National Chemical Engineering Group Co., Ltd. (CNCEC).
The facility has now reached full-capacity, stable operation, following comprehensive performance verification under sustained high-load conditions. Key technical and economic indicators have met or exceeded design benchmarks, demonstrating the commercial viability of domestically developed process technology.
Technology Pathway and Integrated Product Portfolio
Unlike traditional adiponitrile production routes that depend on imported technology, this project adopts proprietary engineering solutions developed by China National Chemical Engineering Group. Butadiene is used as the primary feedstock, offering advantages such as a shorter process route, lower raw material consumption, and consistent product quality.
In addition to adiponitrile, the integrated production system also supports the manufacture of related chemical products, including acrylonitrile derivatives, hexamethylenediamine, and nylon 66 salt and polymer chips. This integrated configuration enhances operational flexibility while strengthening upstream–downstream coordination within the nylon materials value chain.
Operational Optimization and Continuous Process Improvement
Since commissioning, the project team has focused on identifying and resolving operational bottlenecks across the full process flow. Targeted improvements have been implemented in reactor efficiency, separation and distillation performance, and overall system stability.
More than one hundred technical modifications and process optimizations have been carried out, resulting in higher operating loads, improved reliability, and more consistent product quality. Notably, advances in catalyst development have enabled performance metrics comparable to established international suppliers, reinforcing confidence in the long-term competitiveness of domestically produced adiponitrile.
Implications for Downstream Manufacturing and Market Stability
The availability of high-quality, locally produced adiponitrile significantly enhances supply stability for China’s nylon 66 industry. With a secure domestic source of this critical intermediate, downstream manufacturers gain greater resilience against external supply disruptions and price volatility.
This development supports the sustained growth of high-end manufacturing sectors that depend on nylon 66 materials, including automotive lightweighting, advanced transportation systems, aerospace structures, and electronic components. In broader terms, it contributes to strengthening the industrial foundation required for advanced materials innovation.
Broader Industry and Policy Significance
The successful commercialization of butadiene-based adiponitrile production reflects a broader trend toward technological self-reliance and value chain upgrading within China’s chemical industry. By closing a long-standing gap in domestic capability, the project reduces structural dependence on imports and enhances overall industrial security.
Looking ahead, continued expansion of technical capacity, further extension of the nylon value chain, and deeper integration of engineering innovation are expected to play an increasingly important role in shaping the competitiveness and sustainability of China’s polymer materials sector.