Nylon-11 has a Natural Origin Index (NOI) of 0.92 (scale 0–1) per ISO 16128. Carbon backbone traces to castor-oil-derived undecylenic acid; the amine nitrogen, installed via ammonia, is counted petrochemical. An NOI of 0.92 means 92% of its molecular mass is traceable to a natural, renewable source.

Is Nylon-11 natural? NOI 0.92

How we scored it

11-aminoundecanoic acid C11H23NO2 (201 Da): C11 chain from castor oil (185 Da, natural) minus NH2 installed via ammonia (16 Da, petrochemical); 185/201 = 0.92.

What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

Where it comes from

Nylon-11 monomer is made from castor oil: ricinoleic acid is pyrolysed to undecylenic acid, then converted to 11-aminoundecanoic acid and polymerised. This is essentially the sole commercial route (e.g. Rilsan).

In plain English

A bio-based nylon powder made from castor oil, used to add texture, bulk and a smooth feel in powders and pressed cosmetics. One of the few nylons made mostly from a plant oil rather than petrochemicals.

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References

1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
2NYLON-11. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
3NYLON-11. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=NYLON-11