Discarded fishing nets turned into stronger nylon
(Illustration: Indian Institute of Science)
22 October 2025 – Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science created a fast method to turn waste fishing nets and car parts made from PA-66 nylon into tougher new nylon. Additives are mixed with melted plastic in an extruder, forming longer chains and boosting strength. The process takes only minutes and works across multiple recycling cycles. The team demonstrated 3D-printed items and expects uses such as street furniture and road components. Because the process is quick, it fits into current manufacturing lines. This approach allows nylon waste from fisheries to return as high-quality material.
The research was published on November 1, 2025, in the Chemical Engineering Journal under the title ‘From ocean to opportunity: Upcycling fishing net waste into high-performance, reprocessable nylons.’
