History

1941

First spinning machine (Shiga Plant)
First spinning machine (Shiga Plant)

Succeeded in synthesis and melt spinning of nylon 6 fiber (Shiga).

DuPont (U.S.) gave the name "Nylon" to the polyamide fiber invented by Wallace Carothers, and in October 1938 it was announced as a synthetic fiber "stronger than steel, thinner than spider silk, and made from coal, water and air." Toray quickly obtained a sample of this "Nylon 66" product. We then developed "Nylon 6" based on our own technology—while avoiding conflict with DuPont patents—and successfully achieved melt spinning of the fiber on May 13, 1941. The fiber was named "AMILAN™" the following year.