Process for the preparation of -caprolactam

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of -caprolactam comprising treating 6-aminocaproic acid, 6-aminocaproate ester, 6-amino-caproamide, oligomers or polymers of these compounds or mixtures comprising at least two of these compounds in a cyclisation reactor in the presence of superheated steam in which a gaseous product stream comprising -caprolactam, steam, lights and heavies is obtained. Process for the preparation of -caprolactam comprising treating 6-aminocaproic acid 6-aminocaproate ester, 6-aminocaproamide, oligomers or polymers of these compounds or mixtures comprising at least two of these compounds in a cyclisation reactor in the presence of superheated steam in which a gaseous product stream comprising -caprolactam, lights and heavies is obtained, wherein the product stream, after condensation and at least partial removal of water and lights, is split into a -caprolactam stream and a heavies stream containing heavies and -caprolactam and the heavies stream is recycled to a cyclisation reactor.