21 Dec 2011
CLOSURE OF FLAACH TAPE DEVELOPMENT & MANUFACTURING FACILITY
The Netherlands, December 21, 2011 - DSM Dyneema has announced its decision to close its facility in Flaach, Switzerland. The site was acquired in 2007 as part of the acquisition of Pamako A.G., and currently develops and produces Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMwPE) tape. Approx. 25 people are affected by this decision.
“It is with regret that we have taken this decision today for the people involved,” said Gerard de Reuver, President DSM Dyneema. “We have invested considerable resources in improving the technology and capabilities of the people involved over the last few years. With great support from our R&D team, the crew in Flaach has worked exceptionally hard to commercialize new products. The economics of the site were always a challenge. It is a very small site and the operational costs for a separate development facility have become unacceptable, especially in the current economic circumstances.” DSM is supporting all affected employees to find alternative employment.
Since acquiring the business, DSM Dyneema has extensively developed the process and commercialized the first UHMwPE tape grade for ballistic applications in 2008, with further products announced since then for several new applications including telecommunications. A major new tape manufacturing facility is approaching completion on the existing DSM Dyneema site in Greenville, N.C. in the US.
Product supply capabilities will not be affected by this decision.
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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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