25 Sept 2006
NEW LIROS XTR RIGGING HARNESSES THE PERFORMANCE OF DYNEEMA® SK78 FOR AN ENDURING COMPETITIVE EDGE
Lichtenberg (Germany), 12-9-2006: LIROS, a leading manufacturer of high-quality ropes to the yachting industry, is introducing a new range of high-performance running rigging for the most demanding regatta sailors: LIROS XTR. By adopting Dyneema® SK 78 for the whole new XTR range of products, LIROS extends the qualities of previous ranges for improved performance and a longer lifetime under the extreme conditions of competitive sailing. It will be available across the globe through established LIROS
stockists as of 1st October 2006.
Meeting market demand for next-generation yachting lines that can provide an enduring competitive edge during races, LIROS has built on the success of its previous XTR ranges, which also feature Dyneema® fibers, to extend their performance. The new range, based on the improved creep performance provided by Dyneema® SK78, delivers significantly enhanced stability under static loads, in some cases by a factor of three. This reduced tendency to elongate under constant tension results in better control of the sails, better sail-shape retention for less energy loss and ultimately more speed. Further performance benefits associated with the use of Dyneema® fibers, such as high strength-to-weight ratio, high modulus and resistance to abrasion and chemicals, are also maintained.
The new XTR series also benefits from a new proprietary coating formulation. NCS (Nano Coating System) is a unique LIROS impregnation system which significantly improves the abrasion resistance of the new XTR range of ropes.
Commenting on the launch of the new XTR series, Karlo Rosenberger, managing director of LIROS said: “LIROS aims to be the best in class in the manufacture of high-tech rigging, and for that we need to use the best available materials such as the fibers provided by DSM Dyneema. By harnessing the benefits of its new grade, Dyneema® SK78, we have been able to further improve the best product range in our portfolio to provide the performance and endurance demanded by competitive sailors.”
Rolf van Beeck, Business Manager Sports at DSM Dyneema, ads to this: “LIROS was one of our first customers who produced high performance rigging using Dyneema®. We’ve been working together over 16 years in order to innovate the market. The knowledge and experience both companies gained resulted in this new range of XTR products made with Dyneema® SK78. We’re looking forward to the future…”
Although designed primarily for competitive yacht racing, Dyneema® SK78 is also wellsuited for halyards and backstays in performance cruisers, especially those competing in International Measurement System (IMS) or single-class races. The material is available in a range of new ropes, rigging and yachting line applications by LIROS and other leading rope manufacturers.
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Notes for editors
About LIROS
LIROS was founded by the Rosenberger family nearly 150 year ago. Experience, special competence and handcrafting tradition is combined today with state of the art technology, in order to achieve maximum performance and exceed the market’s high demands. It is no coincidence that LIROS ropes are used by the world's most renowned professional sailors who also choose the finest equipment they can get.
About DSM Dyneema
DSM Dyneema is the inventor and manufacturer of Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™. Dyneema® is a superstrong 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.
Dyneema® is a registered trademark of Royal DSM N.V.
About DSM
DSM is active worldwide in nutritional and pharma ingredients, performance materials and industrial chemicals. The company creates 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, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, automotive and transport, coatings, 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. Market-driven growth, innovation and increased presence in emerging economies are key drivers of this strategy. The group has annual sales of over EUR 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 and the Americas.
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