FIELD: chemistry of polymers. SUBSTANCE: described is method of recovering caprolactam by contacting caprolactam-containing polymers with overheated water at temperatures from 280 to 320 C and pressures from 7.5 15 MPa. Water to recurring unit polymer -[-N(H)-(CH2)5-C(O)-]- weight ratio varies from 5: 1 to 13.1 and reaction time is 3 hours provided that reaction mixture composed of water and polymer mixture under hydrolysis conditions contains no gaseous phase. Mixtures being used consist substantially of 40-99.99 wt % of one polymer having recurring units [-N(H)-(CH2)5-C(O)-]-, from 0.01 to 50 wt % of additives selected from group consisting of inorganic fillers, organic or inorganic pigments and dyes, from 0 to 10 wt % of organic and inorganic addition agents, from 0 to 40 wt % of polyamide-free polymers, from 0 to 60 wt % of polyamide except for polycaprolactam and caprolactam- based copolyamides. EFFECT: increased yield of caprolactam. 7 cl, 1 dwg, 11 ex, 1 tbl
