Caprolactam

Caprolactam (CAS 105-60-2, EC 203-313-2, formula C6H11NO) is a cyclic amide monomer, also referred to as 2-azepanone, ε-Caprolactam, or 1,6-Hexolactam. It carries no assigned E-code and is classified under HS code 29337100 within the Monomers and Building Blocks category.

In the plastics and polymers industry, caprolactam serves as the primary monomer for Nylon 6 production, where ring-opening polymerization converts it into polycaprolactam chains. In personal care formulations, it functions as a skin conditioner and protectant, while in textile and leather processing it acts as a carrier and antimicrobial agent to inhibit microbial growth on treated substrates.

Caprolactam is supplied as white crystals or flakes and is subject to REACH registration requirements for European procurement. Buyers should confirm grade specifications against intended application, as industrial and cosmetic-grade material carry different purity thresholds. Standard packaging formats vary by supplier volume and transport classification.