Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing caprolactam comprising recovering a mixture containing 6-aminocaproic acid, from a culture medium comprising biomass, and thereafter cyclising the 6-aminocaproic acid in the presence of superheated steam, thereby forming caprolactam, wherein the weight to weight ratio carbohydrate to 6-aminocaproic acid in said mixture is 0.03 or less.

Abstract: The invention relates to process for the preparation of gamma valerolactone (GVL) from levulinic acid (LA), said process comprising a) subjecting LA to a hydrogenation reaction comprising hydrogen and a solid catalyst system comprising a metal and a support in the liquid phase, to yield a first reaction mixture comprising GVL, hydroxypentanoic acid (4HPA), and water; b) removing water from said first reaction mixture; and c) subjecting the mixture obtained in step b) to a further reaction under conditions suitable to convert said 4-HPA to GVL, to yield a further reaction mixture. Steps b) and c) can be integrated. Optionally, water can be removed from the further reaction mixture. The process may include recycling the—optionally at least partially dewatered—further reaction mixture back to step (b). This is particularly advantageous when the first reaction mixture is low in, or even free of levulinic acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to process for the preparation of gamma valerolactone (GVL) from levulinic acid (LA), said process comprising a) subjecting LA to a hydrogenation reaction comprising hydrogen and a solid catalyst system comprising a metal and a support in the liquid phase, to yield a first reaction mixture comprising GVL, hydroxypentanoic acid (4HPA), and water; b) removing water from said first reaction mixture; and c) subjecting the mixture obtained in step b) to a further reaction under conditions suitable to convert said 4-HPA to GVL, to yield a further reaction mixture. Steps b) and c) can be integrated. Optionally, water can be removed from the further reaction mixture. The process may include recycling the—optionally at least partially dewatered—further reaction mixture back to step (b). This is particularly advantageous when the first reaction mixture is low in, or even free of levulinic acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing caprolactam comprising recovering a mixture containing 6-aminocaproic acid, from a culture medium comprising biomass, and thereafter cyclising the 6-aminocaproic acid in the presence of superheated steam, thereby forming caprolactam, wherein the weight to weight ratio carbohydrate to 6-aminocaproic acid in said mixture is 0.03 or less.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a lactam in a continuous process, comprising forming the lactam and ammonium sulphate by contacting a lactam sulphate contained in an acidic liquid with ammonia, during which forming of lactam heat of reaction is generated, which heat is partially or fully recovered, wherein ammonia is brought into contact with the acidic liquid as part of a liquid aqueous ammonia solution, and wherein the contacting takes place at a temperature of at least 120° C., and wherein the average residence time at a temperature of at least 120° C. is at most 15 minutes, and wherein the ammonium sulphate remains dissolved in a liquid phase during said residence time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing caprolactam comprising recovering a mixture containing 6-aminocaproic acid, from a culture medium comprising biomass, and thereafter cyclising the 6-aminocaproic acid in the presence of superheated steam, thereby forming caprolactam, wherein the weight to weight ratio carbohydrate to 6-aminocaproic acid in said mixture is 0.03 or less.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing ?-caprolactam comprising deacylating N-acyl-6-aminocaproic acid and forming ?-caprolactam. The deacylation may be carried out chemically or biocatalytically. The invention further relates to a host cell, comprising a recombinant vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding an enzyme capable of catalysing the formation of 6-aminocaproic acid from N-acyl-6-aminocaproic acid.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a mixture of &egr;-caprolactam and &egr;-caprolactam precursors by reductively aminating 5-formylvaleric acid and/or 5-formylvalerate ester(s) in water with hydrogen and an excess of ammonia in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, wherein the process is conducted in a reactor of which the inside reactor wall material is a material containing at most 8 wt. % nickel.