8 Apr 2009
HOFFMANN ACE DEVELOPS NEXT GENERATION LIGHT WEIGHT AIR CARGO NET MADE WITH DYNEEMA® - THE WORLD’S STRONGEST FIBER™
DSM Dyneema and Hoffmann ACE awarded for innovations in light weight air cargo equipment helping reduce fuel consumption, costs and environmental impact
URMOND (NL), April 8, 2009 - Hoffmann Air Cargo Equipment (ACE) GmbH together with DSM Dyneema have developed a new, third generation lightweight air cargo net that is one of the first worldwide to achieve a total weight of below 8 kilograms (kg).
The two companies have also been recognized by the recent Hessian Innovation Award for their developments in advancing light-weight air cargo equipment during a collaboration spanning more than five years. The award was presented to both companies at a ceremony in Frankfurt in late 2008.
Ultra high strength Dyneema® fiber is the critical enabling component that achieves these weight savings by replacing polyester fiber. Traditional cargo nets made with polyester typically weigh between 15-18 kg. Thanks to the exceptional high strength and low weight of Dyneema® fiber, more than 50% weight reduction can be achieved with no loss in safety or performance. Furthermore, Dyneema® fiber’s chemical, UV and high abrasion resistance, plus its long term durability help extend the life time of the cargo nets significantly, resulting in overall lower costs and reduced environmental impact.
The reduced weight of nets made with Dyneema® can help cut aviation fuel consumption by up to 700 kg per year for each net in use. This translates to a six-fold saving in greenhouse gases from being released, equal to 4.2 tons of CO2, nitrous gases and other harmful emissions. For a typical mid-size cargo airline operating 5,000 nets, this could cut total annual greenhouse gas emissions by more than 20,000 tons.
Hoffmann ACE already has first and second generation air cargo nets made with Dyneema® in regular airline flight service which hold the current world record for the lightest commercial air cargo nets. The development of a new patented light weight metal hook, custom-designed to work only with nets made with Dyneema® will allow further weight savings, bringing total weight below 8 kg. The new third generation net has now completed prototype phase and will be launched commercially in October 2009 at the inter airport 2009 exhibition in Munich.
Dr. Michael Schneider, Managing Director, Hoffmann ACE GmbH commented: "This award is a great honor for Hoffmann and reflects our dedication to lighter, stronger and more environmentally beneficial products. Our technical collaboration with DSM Dyneema over the years has been a key factor in our success and we are delighted to share this industry prize with them."
Dr. Dietrich Wienke, Business Manager, Aviation Textiles for DSM Dyneema added: "DSM Dyneema is fully committed to continuous innovation in performance materials that bring benefit to our customers and to society as a whole. Partnering with customers such as Hoffmann ACE is part of our strategy and we are delighted to see this award recognize our joint success."
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Notes for editors
About Hoffmann Air Cargo Equipment
Hoffmann Air Cargo Equipment (ACE), based in Friedberg, Germany is a leading innovator and manufacturer of air cargo pallet nets. The company has a strong emphasis on research and development and has introduced a number of product innovations over the years.
Hoffmann’s product-line includes knotted and knotless cargo pallet nets made of various materials with customized finishings that meet the individual requirements of its customers worldwide. Hoffmann ACE manufactures and sells light weight air cargo nets made with Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™ from three locations in Germany, Turkey and China.
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.
DSM – the Life Sciences and Materials Sciences Company
Royal DSM N.V. creates innovative products and services in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences that contribute to the quality of life. DSM’s products and services are used globally in a wide range of markets and applications, supporting a healthier, more sustainable and more enjoyable way of life. End markets include human and animal nutrition and health, personal care, pharmaceuticals, automotive, coatings and paint, electrics and electronics, life protection and housing. DSM has annual net sales of EUR 9.3 billion and employs some 23,500 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in the Netherlands, with locations on five continents. DSM is listed on Euronext Amsterdam. More information: www.dsm.com.
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