The Taiwan Textile Research Institute (TTRI) has developed the Looping Nylon Technique, a recycled nylon membrane technology that converts discarded fishing nets into high-value, medical-grade nylon membranes. This breakthrough innovation earned recognition in the 2025 R&D 100 Awards in the Mechanical/Materials category, addressing long-standing global challenges in processing and upgrading marine waste. It establishes the world's first mono-material membrane system capable of up to 20 recycling cycles, reinforcing Taiwan's leadership in sustainable materials and circular-economy development for high-performance applications.

Taiwan generates approximately 2,300 tons of discarded fishing nets every year. These nets are extremely difficult to recycle due to heavy contamination from sand, algae, biofouling, oil residues, and mixed-material components that hinder decomposition and reprocessing. To solve this problem, TTRI developed a patented ultrasonic cleaning technology, which uses high-frequency vibration together with a specialized cleaning formulation to remove deep-embedded contaminants from nylon fibers. This process restores the recyclability of the material, achieving 98% purity, reducing water consumption by 90%, and enabling the cleaned fibers to meet the requirements for further melt processing. Through chain extension and polyether modification, the regenerated nylon gains enhanced elasticity, moisture permeability, and stable physical performance. It can be processed into high-density membranes as thin as 10 micrometers, providing waterproofness, abrasion resistance, and inherent antimicrobial behavior derived from its dense polymer structure.

To fulfill medical-grade requirements, TTRI collaborated with Carilex Medical to develop a dual-layer co-extrusion process. Using recycled nylon as the surface layer and a low-melting-point nylon as the bonding layer, the membrane and fabric are thermally laminated in a single extrusion step, completely replacing PUR adhesives. This makes the entire production solvent-free, reduces carbon emissions by more than 70%, and maintains a single-material structure that enables straightforward mechanical recycling after use. The resulting composite exhibits excellent airtightness, softness, durability, and long-term stability, meeting the demanding performance needs of smart medical air-pressure mattresses. It also demonstrates strong potential for inflatable rescue boats, aerospace components, military equipment, and high-end outdoor functional products that require reliability and safety under rigorous conditions.

This breakthrough innovation has already been adopted by several Taiwanese companies, including Carilex Medical, Wild Bear Tech, and Charn Tai Machinery, accelerating the development of sustainable manufacturing in the medical and protective-equipment industries. With recycled nylon generating only 0.599 kg Carbon dioxide per kilogram, compared with 7.44 kg Carbon dioxide per kilogram for virgin nylon, the Looping Nylon Technique provides a powerful, scalable solution that helps industries meet global sustainability goals, including increasing recycled-material content by 2030. This achievement enhances Taiwan's international visibility, strengthens its competitiveness in advanced textile technologies, and establishes a pathway for high-value circular materials to enter global supply chains.