14 Mar 2014

HUNTER SPORTSWEAR INTRODUCES UNIQUE CLASS 5 SAFETY GLOVE FOR ICE-SKATERS

Leading skate-wear manufacturer sets new standard in ice-skating personal safety thanks to Dyneema® Diamond Technology

The Netherlands, 14 March 2014 - At SPOVAK, which will be held 16 and 17 March 2014 in Biddinghuizen, the Netherlands, Hunter Sportswear will launch its latest innovation: a safety glove for ice-skaters with the highest - class 5 - cut resistance. The glove represents a breakthrough in hand safety. It offers users the highest level of cut resistance, combined with a high level of comfort. Thanks to its light weight, the glove is able to provide wearer comfort comparable to that of standard sports gloves.

The enabling technology behind the new glove is breakthrough Dyneema® Diamond Technology, a patented fiber innovation from DSM Dyneema. The key feature is that the yarn has a cut resistance twice as high compared to regular High Molecular Polyethylene yarn, which can be achieved without the use of glass or steel. Gloves reinforced with fiberglass or steel are heavy and stiff, making them uncomfortable to wear. Moreover, fiberglass is brittle and may break during use and cause skin irritation.

Dyneema® Diamond Technology is the only fiber that can be used to create a comfortable, thin, supple glove that guarantees up to Level 5 protection, making the level of protection these gloves offer similar to that provided by gloves reinforced with fiberglass or steel. However, gloves made with this advanced technology remain lightweight and flexible.

Hunter spokesperson, Jeroen de Vries, explains: “Ice-skating is a wonderful sport, but it is not without danger. Sharp blades can be dangerous – especially during a fall or in a crowded ice rink. Hands and particularly fingers are at risk. So ice-skaters are looking for increased hand safety. Having worked with DSM Dyneema before, we realized that class 5 was attainable, without the use of glass/significant loss of dexterity. This inspired us to work with DSM to develop this particular solution. Thanks to these new gloves, maximum hand safety is now available.”

Mr. de Vries adds: “Just like cyclists have accepted the need for bicycle helmets, both professional and recreational ice-skaters are looking increasingly for greater levels of protection. In my view, over the next five years or so we will see a growing demand for protective sportswear.”

He concludes: “These gloves have been well received in trials – and now that they have been successfully introduced, Hunter will continue to develop new solutions for other protective ice-skating wear, using advanced Dyneema® Diamond Technology.”

Reader enquiries

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6167 RD Geleen
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+31 46 476 6466

press.dyneema@dsm.com

Notes for editors

About Hunter

When it comes to top athletes and maximum performance, it’s the details that count. Hunter has been developing team wear for over 25 years in collaboration with top athletes. Through the vision and experience of the finest athletes we are able to make clothing for peak performance. We believe that body fit clothing, comfort and quality is as important as the use of the finest materials, the finish and, of course, the design.

That’s because even with making clothes, it all comes down to the details.

Therefore Hunter Sportswear is proud supplier of the highly successfull skating teams:

- Team Beslist.nl

- Team Bam-Univé

Through this partnership we are able to continually optimize our team wear as well as extend these innovations througout all of our clothing lines and accessories. Hunter skate clothing is therefore developed and produced in collaboration with top athletes.

However, this does not mean that our team clothing is only intended for top athletes.

With Hunter, we strive to make high-quality teamwear for every enthusiastic athlete!

About DSM Dyneema

DSM Dyneema is the inventor and manufacturer of Ultra High Molecular Weight PolyEthylene (UHMWPE) fiber branded as Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™. Dyneema® 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.

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Royal DSM 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 simultaneously. DSM delivers innovative solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance in global markets such as food and dietary supplements, personal care, feed, medical devices, automotive, paints, electrical and electronics, life protection, alternative energy and bio-based materials. DSM’s 24,500 employees deliver annual net sales of around €10 billion. The company is listed on NYSE Euronext. More information can be found at www.dsm.com.

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