The long story of a brand

France, which had a leading textile industry, was depending on the US and Germany for these new revolutionary fibres. In response to this, french researchers decided to create a new polyamide with more than 6 carbon atomes in order to get around patents and achieve new properties.

In 1938, researchers began to synthesize an amino acid, the11-amino undecanoic acid,  from the undecylenic acid, a remaining fraction of aldehyde production.

In 1942, during the Second World War, they successfully produced a few grams of polyamide 11 filaments with remarkable properties (comparable to Nylon® and Perlon®).

       

          Monofilaments of Rilsan® around 50's  

In 1947, the first ton of polyamide 11 was produced successfully. This production was sent to the National Plastic Products, in the United States, which asked to test  it: the tests were excellent. This new polyamide seemed to have specific properties, that neither Nylon® nor Perlon® had.

On 30^th October 1947, a patent  for the manufacturing process of this polyamid was applied for.The launch of the industrial production heralded the marketing of polyamide 11, which needed to have a name.

The name Rilsan® was registered in 1949. A wide range of process and product patents has since ensured a global exclusivity.

Rilsan® logo over 25 years

Rilsan^®, the new textile

Created to compete with Nylon® and overcome the lack of raw material, the textile industry was the first natural target for Rilsan® Immediatly, applications included socks, stockings and underwear.

Socks were reputed to be hardwearing and Rilsan® fibres became famous for their exceptional touch properties and anti-allergy properties. During the 50's and 60's, shirts, slips, dresses, ties, pullovers, etc., made of Rilsan® were sold. 

The most famous textile products made of Rilsan® were the carpets of the passenger ship "France" , as well as the "Arc de Triomphe French flag.

Arc de Triomphe French flag made in Rilsan®  

Rilsan®, high performance « plastic »

To begin with, plastic applications were a secondary objective but with the end of the textile activity, they began to develop. So, around 1955, petrol lines in the legendary Citroën DS were made of Rilsan®.

In the 60's, on the strength of its comprehensive properties, Rilsan® gradually replaced steel and rubber in the automotive industry and became a pioneer in very diverse fields: pneumatics (air brake systems), offshore (oil and gas pipes), sports (ski boots), etc. 

Today, Rilsan® today is still used in high-performance industrial applications. (See Rilsan® Markets and Applications webpage)

In 1973, to face the growing demand on Rilsan® and a possible shortage of castor oil, a new polyamide has been synthesized with a 12 carbon atoms monomer, coming from petroleum. Even though the difference, Rilsan® and Polyamide 12 had very similar properties and were used in same applications. Polyamide 12 is now known as Rilsamid® (More informations on the Rilsamid® website). Moreover, over the years, researches  led to a wide range of new technical polymers. Find out more informations on Rilsan® Family webpage.

Once PA 11 production had started, the product had to be given a trade name. The production site for polyamide 11 was located    (and still is) in Serquigny, a small town in Normandy.

The name "Rislan" was first suggested, from the name of the river "Risle" which runs all along the factory. Finally, the name Rilsan® was chosen as it is easier to pronounce, and it was registered in 1949.

     

     Risle river