12 May 2011
A TECHTEXTIL INVITATION TO INNOVATE WITH DSM DYNEEMA
Sustainable solutions based on the world’s strongest fiber can save energy and cut costs for technical textile and nonwoven manufacturers in a wide range of end-use industries.
The Netherlands, May 12, 2011 - The Techtextil international trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens will be held in Frankfurt, Germany, from May 24-26 2011. Visitors to the DSM Dyneema booth (Hall 4.1 stand C71) will learn how exploiting the special properties of Dyneema® fiber, the Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber from DSM, is resulting in innovation for a wide range of high performance materials.
Key applications in the textile industry include:
Draggin Jeans uses Dyneema® fibers in its mix to make an innovative material blend for jeans that are as tough as leather, and able to withstand rider/ground abrasion during a motorbike fall. Carrying the independently awarded “red dot” seal of quality, this is the only jeans design of its type to receive the CE mark (Conformité Européenne or European Conformity).
Amann Goup offers a range of performance threads for automotive and technical textiles. The company’s Xtreme-tech sewing thread made with Dyneema® fiber combines maximum strength with minimum weight. Xtreme-tech is ideal for all applications with extremely high safety requirements – such as sailing, haulage ropes, paragliders, fishing nets, aerospace, load restraint/lifting systems and protective clothing. It is also suitable for sports gear such as climbing equipment, ropes, and harnesses.
Sustainability
Dyneema® fibers also make a difference in other industry sectors, both in terms of performance and in terms of sustainability. A clear example is the ultra-strong air container panel that is helping individual airlines to cut carbon emissions. Made from composites of Dyneema® and DSM’s Aeronite resin, these RP10 container panels reduce the carbon footprint by an estimated 28,000 tons annually – the equivalent of taking more than 8,500 cars off the road. Manufactured by DoKasch GmbH, they are designed to provide maximum strength at minimum weight. In fact, they are three times more impact resistant and nearly 50% lighter than standard aluminium alternatives.
UHMWPE fiber from DSM Dyneema is now widely employed in heavy duty lifting and towing ropes wherever they are required, due to its ideal combination of high strength, light weight and excellent durability. In this context it is now a vital component in SkySails towing kite technology. As the world’s most powerful and effective wind propulsion system for cargo ships, a 320 m2 SkySails system can produce a tractive force in the towing rope of more than 320 kilonewton (kN) – a force greater than the thrust of both engines on an Airbus A321.
In a seaborne application, a study recently completed among the commercial fishing community has yielded clear proof that nets made with Dyneema® yield major cost savings for fishermen. It enables fishermen the use of thinner twines and ropes that are less bulky than more traditional materials, without sacrificing performance. The lower weight and smaller diameter of the equipment result in lower drag in the water, enabling fishermen to make significant fuel savings.
“Sustainability is a key driver for our innovation efforts” says Yvonne Engelen, VP Innovation at DSM Dyneema. “We are continually asking ourselves how we can ‘brighten’ the life of our clients and their customers, while reducing our environmental impact and contributing to sustainable business and manufacturing processes.”
In fact, for DSM Dyneema innovation is one of the strategic drivers, and ’open innovation’ is an integral part of that. For DSM innovation involves continually questioning and probing accepted methods and assumptions and has been part of the fabric of the company from the beginning, resulting in many breakthrough developments.
“With more than 1,000 customers developing new uses for UHMWPE fiber from DSM Dyneema every day, there’s a good chance we can connect you with a local supplier for many common applications,” says Yvonne Engelen. “Please visit us at Techtextil to discuss how our Open Innovation and commitment to sustainability can help your products and processes.”
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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.
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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