A plastics industry milestone: TECHNYL® marks 70 years of innovation as the polyamide pioneer

With a pedigree going back to 1953, the TECHNYL® brand stands for advanced flame and temperature resistance, lightweight and eco-friendly polyamide 6 and 66 solutions. Since DOMO acquired the TECHNYL® brand in 2020, the focus has been on sustainability and innovation. Notably, the groundbreaking TECHNYL® 4EARTH® portfolio of recycled polyamides is gaining a strong reputation as the premier recycled engineered materials brand, with several new formulations on offer.

Formative 1950s: The first breakthrough TECHNYL® nylon materials were produced in the early 1950s by the Rhône-Poulenc Group. Even at that time, the base resins already included PA6, PA66, PA6.10 and copolymers.

Success in the 1960s: The new materials were a market success, with the Belle-Étoile site near Lyon, France, expanding significantly over the course of 10 years, growing to cover an area of 70 hectares by 1964.

Colorful 1970s: The next decade saw the consolidation of production from other Rhone-Poulenc sites to Belle-Étoile, where a new TECHNYL® Engineered Materials compounding unit was installed in 1970. In 1977, the “Melanges-Maitres” compounding unit was established, which to this day remains a unique characteristic of the technology used to develop colors at DOMO Chemicals.

New-look 1980s: By 1984, a modernization drive was underway and the Belle-Étoile production unit was revamped, including the installation of a modern packaging line for all TECHNYL® solutions.

Unity in the 1990s: The 1990s were about strength through unity, with Rhone-Poulenc and Caffaro forming a joint venture called Nyltech France in 1994, which took over the brand. Then, in 1997, Nyltech became Rhodia.

STAR power in the 2000s: The next decade was an era of shining breakthroughs, with the birth of TECHNYL STAR® in 2000. This transformative PA6 metal-replacement technology was reinforced with 50% glass fiber, heat stabilized and targeted for applications requiring high rigidity.

In 2002, TECHNYL® became the first brand to obtain UL Certification for a halogen-free, flame-retardant polyamide. Based on TECHNYL STAR® technology, this watershed achievement opened the way for metal substitution in large and complex parts with more efficient polyamide formulations.

The next generation TECHNYL STAR® based on the PA66 matrix, launched in 2007, broadened the range of applications for which replacement of other polymers or metals became possible. 

In 2008, BMW endorsed the TECHNYL® glass fiber reinforced polyamide cooling range as best in class and the benchmark material for its vehicles.

Trailblazing 2010s: With the opening of the TECHNYL® innovation center in Belle-Etoile, the various application and material testing laboratories previously spread around Europe were brought together in one hub. The new center would boast a complete array of technical services designed to speed to market new applications, from advanced material characterization to application validation, including predictive simulation with MMI TECHNYL® Design.

In 2011, Solvay integrated Rhodia into its operations and 2013 saw the launch of TECHNYL® ONE, a new patented polymer technology designed specially to help electrical protection product manufacturers address miniaturization challenges. It combines unparalleled electrical performance with high thermal resistance, reduced tool corrosion and simplified processing – all in ONE.

2016 marked another major milestone with the launch of the first TECHNYL® 4EARTH® line of sustainable polyamides, providing significant environmental benefits compared to traditional virgin polyamide.

Future-ready 2020s: The acquisition of the TECHNYL® brand in 2020 was a crucial turning point on DOMO Chemicals’ path to strengthen its nylon-based engineered materials business. It was a significant step in delivering on its sustainable growth strategy to become a major global service provider for customers in the key markets of transportation, electrical & electronics and consumer goods.

The complementary portfolios of the previously existing DOMAMID® and ECONAMID® compounds were merged under the TECHNYL® brand, making it the most complete PA6, PA66 and PA6.10-based family on the market.

In 2022, DOMO Chemicals could market TECHNYL® to customers worldwide, marking a new phase in its ambitious plans to become the benchmark for sustainable polyamide solutions across key industries.

In 2023, DOMO’s global expansion drive further accelerated with a manufacturing agreement with MIKA INC in Korea, a groundbreaking step for its new plant in Haiyan, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China, and the inauguration of a new compounding line to serve the Indian market. Further announcements are planned, including the expansion of DOMO’s sustainable portfolio with new recycling technologies.

The leitmotif throughout TECHNYL®’s rich history – marked by acquisitions and brand transformations over seven decades – has been the exceptional level of expertise of the TECHNYL® professionals and the added value of the innovations brought to market.