Caprolactam (HEXAHYDRO-2H-AZEPIN-2-ONE; 2-OXOHEXAMETHYLENEIMIN) is supplied in flake or fused form. It is the basic raw material for the production of polyamide 6, which is used thereafter in the textile or plastics industry. Polyamide fibres have a very broad range of uses in the production of nylon and polycaprolactam mesh (perlon). Its flexibility means that it is used primarily in the production of sports clothing and other sporting equipment - e.g. for water sports, winter sports, or mountaineering and mountain climbing. Caprolactam is readily biodegradable.