Data are given which characterize the stages of development of the method for isolating commercial adipic acid (AA) from the waste waters of the first stages of caprolactam production, with a quality enabling it to be used for the production of rigid. polyurethane foam. The basic layout has been developed, and the main parameters of each stage have been optimized. For the specific case of processing the aqueous part of the effluent, possible methods of concentration, purification and necessary final purification of "raw" AA are examined.