New Breakthrough in Hydrogenation Platform: High-Purity Cyclohexane Achieves End-to-End Low-Carbon Production and Receives ISCC PLUS Certification, Driving a Green Upgrade of the Nylon and Coatings Value Chains
At a pivotal moment when the global nylon-6 and coating-solvent industries are actively pursuing low-carbon alternatives, cyclohexane—an essential intermediate—is undergoing a major transformation in how it is produced. A high-purity, low-carbon cyclohexane made through the selective hydrogenation of bio-based benzene has recently reached commercial-scale production and received ISCC PLUS certification. Compared with conventional petroleum-based routes, this process cuts carbon emissions by more than 70%, offering a traceable and sustainable raw-material solution for downstream leaders such as Ascend and BASF in the manufacture of caprolactam, adipic acid, and premium solvents. This achievement signals the formal integration of the C6 aliphatic hydrocarbon platform into the bio-based economic cycle.
1. Technical Milestone: Bio-Benzene Purification and High-Efficiency Low-Temperature Hydrogenation
The industrialization of this process is driven by innovations in both feedstock preparation and hydrogenation technology.
Bio-Benzene Production and Ultra-Deep Desulfurization
Feedstock Route: The process begins with bio-based benzene produced from the gasification of sustainably sourced wood or agricultural residues, with its carbon traced back to atmospheric CO₂.
Purification Technology: Molecular sieve adsorption combined with extractive distillation is used to reduce total sulfur—critical for catalyst life—to 0.1 ppm or less, while the key impurity thiophene is controlled at an ultra-low level of no more than 5 ppb, ensuring long-term stable operation.
Low-Temperature, Low-Pressure Catalytic Hydrogenation
Process Innovation: Highly active and selective noble-metal catalysts allow operating conditions to be optimized from the traditional 200–250 °C and 3.0 MPa to below 120–150 °C and 1.5 MPa.
Energy and Performance Advantages: These milder conditions lower overall energy consumption by about 40% and greatly improve process safety. The resulting cyclohexane reaches a consistent purity of at least 99.95%, with residual benzene controlled to 50 ppm or less.
2. Industry Impact: Transforming the Nylon and High-End Solvent Value Chains
As both a key precursor for nylon-6 monomers and a premium industrial solvent, the sustainability advantages of this product are being passed along the entire downstream value chain.
For the Nylon-6 Industry Chain
Bio-based cyclohexane serves as a fundamental feedstock for producing bio-based caprolactam. Its use can lower the carbon footprint of finished nylon-6 fibers or resins by approximately 50–60%, giving sportswear and engineering-plastic brands a strong sustainability advantage.
Major global polymer producers have already begun qualification and validation programs and are preparing to introduce this material into their European caprolactam facilities.
For the Coatings and Adhesives Sector
As a low-toxicity, fast-evaporating green solvent, its benzene-free nature greatly improves safety in applications such as premium inks and precision electronics cleaning, enabling it to progressively replace traditional solvents like toluene and xylene.
Downstream Economics
Although production costs currently carry a 25–35% premium compared with fossil-based alternatives, commercial adoption has become viable due to regulatory drivers such as the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and growing brand demand for sustainable sourcing. For companies with defined carbon-neutrality targets, this premium is now considered an acceptable supply-chain cost.
3. Corporate Partnerships and Pilot Deployment
A leading European integrated chemicals group has entered into a long-term offtake agreement with the producer and plans to build a dedicated line converting bio-based cyclohexane into caprolactam at one of its integrated sites. According to project disclosures:
“This unit will produce about 80,000 tonnes of bio-based cyclohexane per year, all of which will be further processed into caprolactam. It will represent the world’s first fully commercialized large-scale biomass-to-nylon-6 value chain, and is expected to cut the group’s carbon emissions by roughly 240,000 tonnes annually.”
To speed up the development of the full industry chain, the supplier has introduced several support initiatives:
Carbon Credit Transfer: A carbon-accounting and credit-sharing system with downstream customers to ensure the sustainability value is captured and monetized throughout the value chain.
Application Technology Package: Technical support that enables existing plants to transition smoothly from fossil-based to bio-based cyclohexane with minimal retrofit costs.
Regional Hub Inventory: Blending and storage facilities in Antwerp and Houston to provide flexible, small-to-medium-lot supply for customers.
