29 Sept 2011
DSM DYNEEMA COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF IP RIGHTS FROM HOFFMANN AIR CARGO EQUIPMENT
Deal creates open-sky environment allowing airline companies broader, faster access to patented lightweight cargo nets made with Dyneema®; provides net manufacturers with full, licensed protection
The Netherlands, September 29, 2011 - DSM Dyneema has completed the outright purchase of IP rights related to the manufacture of light weight air cargo pallet nets made with Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™ , from Hoffman ACE (based in Friedberg, Germany). The IP rights were previously jointly owned by DSM Dyneema and Hoffmann.
The deal represents a significant move for the air cargo equipment industry allowing airlines to procure nets made with Dyneema® technology from a broader range of authorized, licensed net manufacturers. Airlines will now be able to obtain pallet nets manufactured to their specifications, from their preferred net-suppliers faster, and more easily.
It also follows DSM Dyneema’s established strategy of building a robust and extensive IP portfolio providing commercial and protection benefits to licensed users of Dyneema® throughout the value chain.
Air cargo pallet nets made with Dyneema® fiber deliver significant benefits to the aviation industry. These light weight pallet nets can yield more than 50% weight saving over conventional pallet nets made from traditional fibers such as polyester or polyamide, helping to reduce fuel consumption and meet the industry’s growing need to reduce carbon emissions.
Nets made with Dyneema® fiber display exceptional high strength and weather resistance and have proven to be particularly robust, exhibiting up to 50% less wear and tear in harsh in-use conditions. As the aviation industry is increasingly focusing on durable and ultra light weight equipment solutions to reduce weight and meet environmental standards, Dyneema® fiber has become an established enabling component in developing future generation light weight air cargo equipment such as pallet nets and ULDs (Unit Load Devices).
Hermann Hoffmann, Director and Owner, Hoffmann ACE: “In refocusing our business, we agreed to sell our share of the IP rights to our light weight technology for pallet nets and ULD’s to our partner DSM Dyneema. The completion of this agreement will now ensure continuity and security for future supply and service to all airlines across the globe through their preferred ULD supplier.”
Dietrich Wienke, Business Development Manager Aviation & Aerospace, DSM Dyneema: “This is a good deal for all parties and an important development for the industry. It opens up and accelerates access for airline companies, to be able to purchase lightweight nets made with our patented Dyneema® technology from a broader range of leading cargo net manufacturers around the world, faster and more easily.”
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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 High Molecular Weight PolyEthylene (UHMWPE) 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® fiber 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.
UHMWPE fiber from DSM 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.aviation.dyneema.com.
DSM - Bright Science. Brighter Living.™
Royal DSM N.V. is a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials. By connecting its unique competences in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences DSM is driving economic prosperity, environmental progress and social advances to create sustainable value for all stakeholders. DSM delivers innovative solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance in global markets such as food and dietary supplements, personal care, feed, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, paints, electrical and electronics, life protection, alternative energy and bio-based materials. DSM’s 22,000 employees deliver annual net sales of over €9 billion. The company is listed on NYSE Euronext. More information can be found at www.dsm.com.
Dyneema® and Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™ are trademarks of Royal DSM. Use of these trademarks is prohibited unless strictly authorized.
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