14 Dec 2006
DSM DYNEEMA HOSTS INDUSTRY-FIRST PANEL DISCUSSION ON RUNNING RIGGING AT METS 2006
Unique event brings together key yachting industry stakeholders for open panel discussion
Entitled “The future of Running Rigging”, DSM Dyneema, inventor and manufacturer of Dyneema® fiber, kicked off the METS on November 14th with an industry-first stakeholder dialogue. Leading representatives from the yachting arena, including riggers, rope manufacturers, sailors and press delegates, participated in a panel discussion hosted by DSM Dyneema. Topics focused on the contribution, importance and future development of running rigging.
Rolf van Beeck, business manager for sports applications at DSM Dyneema, began with a brief introduction in which he discussed the need for open dialogue within the industry:
"As a company supplying high-performance fibers to the yachting industry, we recognize that we can really improve the quality and speed of innovation if we improve our cooperation in the value chain with different stakeholders. This event has been a perfect platform for this dialogue."
Laurelled sailor Roy Heiner, technical sailing director of Team ABN AMRO, winner of the Volvo Ocean Race, continued the morning session with a brief presentation in which he spoke of his experience onboard the Volvo 70 and how the running rigging, as well as other aspects like hull design, spars and sails, played an essential role in the boat's performance. He also touched upon the importance of thinking outside the box when it comes to winning races.
Facilitating the morning session was Dobbs Davis, senior editor of Seahorse magazine and professional racing sailor. Other panel members included Sven Rosenberger, CEO of Liros, a German manufacturer of high-tech yachting ropes and one of DSM Dyneema's first customers, as well as Phil Garland, vice president of Hall Spars and an expert on running rigging.
DSM Dyneema will host a similar event at the next Key West Race Week (Florida, USA) in January 2007, where Dobbs Davis will facilitate the discussion with key stakeholders in the North American region.
What do sailors get from rigging with Dyneema®?
Lines with Dyneema® offer:
- Maximum breaking strength and lightweight. Enhanced sailing performance through high load level bearing and weight reduction.
- Ultimate control. The low stretch results in more control while sailing and less energy absorption. The force of the wind is largely converted to speed.
- Superior handling. The lines run smoothly through the blocks and sheaves while resisting kinking and hockling, have a soft hand and are easy to splice.
- Reliability. The lines are durable due to high resistance to abrasion, bending fatigue, and environmental influences. In short, they are built to perform time and time again.
Reader enquiries
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Notes for editors
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 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.
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.
Editorial enquiries
Nathali Donatz
Dyneema
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EMG