US chemical firm Invista is stepping up investments in nylon textiles, primarily for fiber and fabric solutions under the Cordura brand, after opting to maintain ownership of the business.
This investment focuses on next-generation performance fabrics to gain ground in end-use apparel markets, including outdoor, workwear, military and lifestyle sectors. Across the company's global operations, Invista has committed to spend upwards of $500mn over the next five years.
"Invista's nylon business — including the Cordura brand — remains a critical part of our portfolio," said chief executive Brook Vickery in a press release.
The Wichita, Kansas, firm decided against selling its nylon fiber business following a marketing process that began last year. Invista cited long-term value for continued ownership, with five manufacturing sites located in Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America.
Invista specializes in the production of nylon intermediates and polymer resins for automotive, electrical and consumer goods applications. Butadiene is a feedstock further upstream in the value chain, used to make adiponitrile, which is then hydrogenated into hexamethylenediamine, a key monomer for nylon 6,6 production.
