OFFSHORE FISH FARMING TRIALS NEW CAGE WITH DYNEEMA®

Urmond, 26 February 2007 - DSM Dyneema today announced a three-year partnership with Open Ocean Systems Inc. (OOSI) for joint development of innovative technologies for offshore fish farming. Open Ocean Systems, a new venture, is developing a total system that will leverage the trend towards moving aquaculture operations further offshore. OOSI, based in New Brunswick, Canada, chose to work with DSM Dyneema because its ultra-strong, lightweight Dyneema® fiber offers great potential for designing new cages that can meet the challenges of the open ocean environment, such as stronger currents and higher waves.

The current in-shore locations available for aquaculture are not sufficient to accommodate expected volumes, as projected by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). That means there is strong interest in expanding into more exposed areas. In 2007, the two companies will conduct worldwide tests of OOSI’s new cage design featuring netting made with Dyneema® fiber. Commercialization is expected in 2008.

Andrew Storey, president of Open Ocean Systems, said, “We are very pleased to have the collaboration of DSM Dyneema in this project, which we believe will make offshore fish farming not just practical but also profitable. Dyneema® fiber will play a critical role in our total aquaculture solution. This innovative material offers buoyancy, exceptional strength and proven resistance to damage from biting and wear that will be essential to the success of our patent pending cage system.”

The superior strength of Dyneema® allows thinner twines to be used, providing less resistance to currents and waves so the cages retain their shape. These twines form larger openings in the netting so more water can flow through, improving cleanliness and oxygenation for healthier fish. Because Dyneema® is lightweight and does not absorb water, netting is easier to lift out of the water for repairs, especially in heavy seas or bad weather. The exceptional toughness of netting made with Dyneema® can significantly reduce escapes and losses from fish or predators biting through nets. Dyneema® has already demonstrated top performance in demanding aquaculture applications such as farming biting fish like cod, sea bream and sea bass.

“The challenges of exposed site offshore aquaculture represent a great opportunity for our tough Dyneema® fiber,” said André van Wageningen, market segment manager commercial fishing for DSM Dyneema. “We see OOSI’s farming system as a solution that will help the open ocean aquaculture sector meet future world demand for farmed fish. We are pleased that our innovative materials technology and knowledge is playing a key role in turning this market potential into a reality.”

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.asaferplacetogrow.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.

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