ALINGHI DEFENDS AMERICA’S CUP WITH STATE OF THE ART RUNNING RIGGING WITH DYNEEMA® FIBER

Urmond (NL), June 13, 2007 –To achieve rigging with minimal stretch, high modulus and low weight, Alinghi worked with DSM Dyneema, the manufacturer of ultra-strong Dyneema® polyethylene fiber, and Gottifredi Maffioli, a leading Italian rope maker. Together, they developed a unique rigging concept that features a core of Dyneema® fiber with high strength at lower weight.

When Alinghi, the Swiss team that will defend its America’s Cup title this June, sought a fresh advantage through optimized running rigging, they looked for a winning technology solution. The previous rigging used by Alinghi needed frequent replacement and was heavier than desired. The new solution provides a number of benefits, including lower stretch and significant weight savings. The lighter-weight and stiffer lines are expected to contribute to the team’s overall performance.

“To defend the America’s Cup, we’ll need the best possible technology,” said Grant Simmer, Design Team Coordinator of Alinghi. “To improve the performance of our running rigging we decided to partner with the top experts. DSM Dyneema is the manufacturer of Dyneema®, which is their ultra-strong lightweight High Performance PolyEthylene fiber – clearly the material of choice for a racing yacht’s rigging. And Gottifredi Maffioli is well-known for innovation in rope manufacturing. We are confident that their combined expertise and technology will contribute to a successful race.”

Running rigging made with Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™ enhances the performance of a yacht in several ways. First, it reduces weight above the waterline while maintaining high strength to boost performance. This high strength-to-weight ratio enables thinner-diameter ropes for easy handling and splicing, free running and smooth flaking. The lower stretch provided by Dyneema® fiber results in less energy absorption by the rigging, allowing the force of the wind to be largely converted into hull speed. Finally, this material is highly resistant to abrasion, chafing, bending fatigue and environmental factors, extending the useful service life of the rigging.

Rolf van Beeck, marketing manager Sports at DSM Dyneema said, “Technological breakthroughs first used in racing are often incorporated into consumer products at a later stage – for example, the transfer of technology from F1 auto racing to the modern car. We are proud to contribute to the overall competitiveness of Team Alinghi by improving its running rigging – which, together with the sails, is the ‘engine’ of the boat. This project gave us valuable insight into the future of sailing and opens up new opportunities to develop new products that answer tomorrow’s needs.”

About DSM Dyneema

DSM Dyneema is the inventor and manufacturer of Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™. Dyneema® is an ultra strong polyethylene fiber that offers maximum strength combined with minimum weight. It is up to 15 times stronger than quality steel and up to 40% stronger than aramid fibers, both on weight for weight basis. Dyneema® floats on water and is extremely durable and resistant to moisture, UV light and chemicals. The applications are therefore more or less unlimited. Dyneema® is an important component in ropes, cables and nets in the fishing, shipping and offshore industries. Dyneema® is also used in safety gloves for the metalworking industry and in fine yarns for applications in sporting goods and the medical sector. In addition, Dyneema® is also used in bullet resistant armor and clothing for police and military personnel.

Dyneema® is produced in Heerlen (The Netherlands) and in Greenville, North Carolina (U.S.A.). DSM Dyneema is also a partner in a high modulus polyethylene (HMPE) manufacturing joint venture in Japan. Further information on DSM Dyneema is available at www.dyneema.com and www.extremeriggingperformance.com.

About DSM

DSM is active worldwide in nutritional and pharma ingredients, performance materials and industrial chemicals. The company develops, produces and sells innovative products and services that help improve the quality of life. DSM’s products are used in a wide range of end-markets and applications, such as human and animal nutrition and health, personal care, pharmaceuticals, automotive and transport, coatings and paint, housing and electrics & electronics (E&E). DSM’s strategy, named Vision 2010 – Building on Strengths, focuses on accelerating profitable and innovative growth of the company’s specialties portfolio. The key drivers of this strategy are market-driven growth and innovation plus an increased presence in emerging economies. The group has annual sales of over €8 billion and employs some 22,000 people worldwide. DSM ranks among the global leaders in many of its fields. The company is headquartered in the Netherlands, with locations in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and the Americas. More information about DSM can be found at www.dsm.com.

Dyneema®, Dyneema Purity® and Dyneema®, the world's strongest fiber™ are trademark(s) (applications) owned by Royal DSM N.V.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About Alinghi

Alinghi flies the colours of the Société Nautique de Genève, Switzerland. Its partners for the 2007 campaign are UBS and BT Infonet (Main Partners), as well as Audemars Piguet, SGS, Nespresso, MSC Cruises, WISeKey and North Sails (Co sponsors). Visit our web site at: www.alinghi.com