Heterocyclic compounds; lactams; 6-hexanelactam (epsilon-caprolactam)

HS v2022 Code: 293371

About heterocyclic compounds; lactams; 6-hexanelactam (epsilon-caprolactam)

HS code 293371 covers the production of 6-hexanelactam, also known as epsilon-caprolactam, a key intermediate in the manufacture of nylon 6. Nylon 6 is a widely used synthetic polymer with applications in textiles, engineering plastics, and industrial products. The global caprolactam market is a significant component of the broader chemicals and petrochemicals industry, driven by the growing demand for nylon across various end-use sectors.

Production process

The primary production method for 6-hexanelactam involves the catalytic oxidation of cyclohexanone, which is derived from the hydrogenation of phenol. The oxidation process typically uses hydrogen peroxide as the oxidizing agent, with the reaction taking place under controlled temperature and pressure conditions. The resulting caprolactam is then purified through distillation and crystallization processes to meet the required quality standards.

Production inputs

The main inputs for the production of 6-hexanelactam include cyclohexanone, hydrogen peroxide, and various catalysts and solvents. Specialized equipment such as reactors, distillation columns, and crystallization units are also essential for the manufacturing process. Additionally, the industry relies on a steady supply of energy, water, and other utilities to support the production operations.

Production outputs

The primary output of HS code 293371 is 6-hexanelactam, which is a key feedstock for the production of 540231 nylon 6 and other nylon-based materials. These nylon products find applications in a wide range of industries, including 540233 textiles, 392010 engineering plastics, and 392690 industrial products.

Revisions to 293371

Classification codes are adjusted frequently. The code may have been revised or replaced between system versions. The table below shows the history (newest to oldest) of the code 293371. The most recent 1 version of this code (293371) is in the HS v2022 system (this version):

This page shows the most recent version of code 293371.

Family tree for heterocyclic compounds; lactams; 6-hexanelactam (epsilon-caprolactam)

    graph LR
    A["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/29'>29: Organic chemicals</a>"]
A --> B["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2933'>2933: Heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen hetero-atom(s) only</a>"]
B --> C["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293371'>293371: Heterocyclic compounds; lactams; 6-hexanelactam (epsilon-caprolactam)</a>"]

    B --> D["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293311'>293311: Heterocyclic compounds; with nitrogen hetero-atom(s) only, containing an unfused pyrazole ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure, phenazone (antipyrin) and its derivatives</a>"]
B --> E["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293319'>293319: Heterocyclic compounds; with nitrogen hetero-atom(s) only, containing an unfused pyrazole ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure, other than henazone (antipyrin) and its derivatives</a>"]
B --> F["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293321'>293321: Heterocyclic compounds; with nitrogen hetero-atom(s) only, containing an unfused imidazole ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure, hydantoin and its derivatives</a>"]
B --> G["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293329'>293329: Heterocyclic compounds; with nitrogen hetero-atom(s) only, containing an unfused imidazole ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure, other than hydantoin and its derivatives</a>"]
B --> H["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293331'>293331: Heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused pyridine ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure, pyridine and its salts</a>"]
B --> I["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293332'>293332: Heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused pyridine ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure, piperidine and its salts</a>"]
B --> J["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293333'>293333: Heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused pyridine ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure, alfentanil (INN), anileridine (INN), bezitramide (INN), bromazepam (INN), carfentanil (INN), difenoxin (INN), diphenoxylate (INN), dipipanone (INN)</a>"]
B --> K["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293334'>293334: Heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused pyridine ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure, other fentanyls and their derivatives</a>"]
B --> L["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293335'>293335: Heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused pyridine ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure, 3-quinuclidinol</a>"]
B --> M["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293336'>293336: Heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused pyridine ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure, 4-anilino-N-phenethylpiperidine (ANPP)</a>"]
B --> N["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293337'>293337: Heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused pyridine ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure, N-phenethyl-4-piperdone (NPP)</a>"]
B --> O["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293339'>293339: Heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused pyridine ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure, n.e.c. in 2933.3</a>"]
B --> P["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293341'>293341: Heterocyclic compounds; containing a quinoline or isoquinoline ring-system (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure, not further fused, levorphanol (INN) and its salts</a>"]
B --> Q["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293349'>293349: Heterocyclic compounds; containing a quinoline or isoquinoline ring-system (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure, not further fused, other than levorphanol (INN) and its salts</a>"]
B --> R["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293352'>293352: Heterocyclic compounds; containing a pyrimidine ring (whether or not hydrogenated) or piperazine ring in the structure, malonylurea (barbituric acid) and its salts</a>"]
B --> S["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293353'>293353: Allobarbital (INN), amobarbital (INN), barbital (INN), butalbital (INN), butobarbital, cyclobarbital (INN), methylphenobarbital (INN), pentobarbital (INN), phenobarbital (INN), secbutabarbital (INN), secobarbital (INN) and vinylbital (INN); salts thereof</a>"]
B --> T["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293354'>293354: Heterocyclic compounds; containing a pyrimidine ring (whether or not hydrogenated) or piperazine ring in the structure, other derivatives of malonylurea (barbituric acid) and salts thereof, n.e.c. in 2933.53</a>"]
B --> U["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293355'>293355: Heterocyclic compounds; containing a pyrimidine ring (whether or not hydrogenated) or piperazine ring in the structure; loprazolam (INN), mecloqualone (INN), methaqualone (INN), and zipeprol (INN); salts thereof</a>"]
B --> V["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293359'>293359: Heterocyclic compounds; containing a pyrimidine ring (whether or not hydrogenated) or piperazine ring in the structure, (other than malonylurea and its derivatives, loprazolam, mecloqualone, methaqualone, zipeprol, and salts thereof) n.e.c. in 2933.5</a>"]
B --> W["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293361'>293361: Heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused triazine ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure, melamine</a>"]
B --> X["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293369'>293369: Heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused triazine ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure, others excluding melamine</a>"]
B --> Y["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293372'>293372: Heterocyclic compounds; lactams; clobazam (INN) and methyprylon (INN)</a>"]
B --> Z["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293379'>293379: Heterocyclic compounds; lactams; other than 6-hexanelactam (epsilon caprolactam) and clobazam (INN) and methyprylon (INN)</a>"]
B --> BA["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293391'>293391: Heterocyclic compounds; alprazolam (INN), camazepam (INN), chlordiazepoxide (INN), clonazepam (INN), clorazepate, delorazepam (INN), diazepam (INN), estazolam (INN), ethyl loflazepate (INN), fludiazepam (INN), flunitrazepam (INN), (cont)</a>"]
B --> BB["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293392'>293392: Heterocyclic compounds; azinphos-methyl (ISO)</a>"]
B --> BC["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/293399'>293399: Heterocyclic compounds; n.e.c. in headings no. 2933</a>"]

    

    %% Color coordination by level

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    classDef level2 color:#000,fill:#e0a458,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level3 color:#000,fill:#419d78,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level4 color:#000,fill:#c04abc,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level5 color:#000,fill:#f1c40f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level6 color:#000,fill:#f1c40f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef highlight color:#000,fill:#fff,stroke:#000,stroke-width:5px



  %% Apply classes
  class A level2
class B level4
class C level6
class D level6
class E level6
class F level6
class G level6
class H level6
class I level6
class J level6
class K level6
class L level6
class M level6
class N level6
class O level6
class P level6
class Q level6
class R level6
class S level6
class T level6
class U level6
class V level6
class W level6
class X level6
class Y level6
class Z level6
class BA level6
class BB level6
class BC level6

  class C highlight

  %% class A level1
  %% class B,C level2
  %% class D,E,F,G,H,I level2
  %% class J,K,L,M,N,O,P level3
  %% class C highlight