Rilsan® PA11 is a 100% biobased polyamide from castor oil that has been produced by Arkema for more than 70 years. Textile was actually the first market targeted in 1947 when the material was created with some applications in underwear or clothing industry. However, due to the strong popularity of Nylon 6 and 66 that time, especially in textile, PA11 found his place in more exigent technical fields requiring high chemical and hydrolysis resistance for example. Rilsan® PA11 has a proven legacy in demanding applications including offshore flexible pipes, automotive fluid transfer lines, industrial and high-end sports equipment or durable protective coatings.

Today, considering the negative impact of textile production and waste on the environment, it’s time to review the place of PA11 in this market. Castor oil is a renewable feedstock from the castor plant that grows in semi-arid soils without food competition or deforestation while taking advantage of the natural monsoon rain in India. PA11 carbon footprint is about 50% below compared to fossil based and virgin PA6 or PA66. PA11 can be mechanically recycled completing the interest of this material in Textile applications.  Lightness, low moisture pick up, durability, dimension stability, softness, cool touch are some of the main properties of PA11 compared to standard synthetic fibers.
Rilsan® PA11 is a 100% biobased polyamide from castor oil that has been produced by Arkema for more than 70 years. Textile was actually the first market targeted in 1947 when the material was created with some applications in underwear or clothing industry. However, due to the strong popularity of Nylon 6 and 66 that time, especially in textile, PA11 found his place in more exigent technical fields requiring high chemical and hydrolysis resistance for example. Rilsan® PA11 has a proven legacy in demanding applications including offshore flexible pipes, automotive fluid transfer lines, industrial and high-end sports equipment or durable protective coatings.
Today, considering the negative impact of textile production and waste on the environment, it’s time to review the place of PA11 in this market. Castor oil is a renewable feedstock from the castor plant that grows in semi-arid soils without food competition or deforestation while taking advantage of the natural monsoon rain in India. PA11 carbon footprint is about 50% below compared to fossil based and virgin PA6 or PA66. PA11 can be mechanically recycled completing the interest of this material in Textile applications.  Lightness, low moisture pick up, durability, dimension stability, softness, cool touch are some of the main properties of PA11 compared to standard synthetic fibers.