14 Apr 2015
DSM Dyneema launches Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology for life protection in Latin America at LAAD 2015
Highly successful life protection solution is setting a new global standard for weight reduction, comfort and ballistic performance
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, April 14, 2015 - DSM Dyneema is bringing its award-winning Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology for life protection to the defense and law enforcement communities in Latin America today at LAAD Defence & Security 2015 (stand K.40). Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology combines breakthroughs in polymer science, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMwPE) fiber technology and unique uni-directional engineering to deliver up to 25 percent higher ballistic protection while reducing weight by up to 30 percent. The exceptional capabilities of this technology already are being leveraged by leading manufacturers in Europe and the United States to create next-generation personal protection and vehicle armor designs.
“Leading armor manufacturers are rapidly adopting Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology to take advantage of its compelling benefits, including its light weight, thin profile and extreme ballistic protection,” said Carlos Leão Leutewiler, sales director South America, DSM Dyneema. “We are confident that Latin American manufacturers will also find great success using our technology as the foundation for new products. By eliminating the need to choose between higher protection and lower weight, Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology can empower Latin America’s life protection industry to address new requirements and new threats.”
Application Success Stories
The world’s top armor manufacturers are using Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology in vests, inserts, helmets and extremity protection, and in hard armor for helicopters, patrol boats and land vehicles. For example, the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the New York Police Department (NYPD) recently selected the Alpha Elite™ body armor system, which is based on Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology and manufactured by Point Blank Enterprises. The selection criteria included evaluations of performance, weight, flexibility and comfort, to deliver high-performance protection in the lightest weight vests currently on the market.
Point Blank also designed the advanced ballistics package incorporated in the Generation II Soldier Plate Carrier System (SPCS) using Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology. The SPCS, the lightest soft armor system ever to be fielded by the U.S. Army, maximizes mobility and provides superior protection.
Leading Technology Composites (LTC), based in Wichita, Kan., applied its XPS2 system of advanced processing to Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology materials to achieve unprecedented levels of performance in ballistic armor systems, at significantly lower areal densities. The company has provided customers with weight savings of 25-45 percent in vehicle platforms vs. legacy systems, and weight reductions of 10-20 percent vs. traditional options for personal protection products such as body armor inserts.
German armored solutions manufacturer Rheinmetall Ballistic Protection GmbH has developed and certified multiple armor systems with Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology. These include very light weight protective inserts designed to stop 7.62 x 39mm AK47 (MSC) and 7.62 x 51mm NATO (Ball). These panels are currently being used by various elite European law enforcement units. Rheinmetall has also utilized Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology in the development of several naval armor systems.
The Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology material has also been used to provide ballistics protection in helicopter armor systems developed by international armor manufacturer TenCate Advanced Armour. Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology has earned DSM Dyneema multiple awards for innovation and dedication to improvement in life protection. In November 2014, the company was awarded three ITMA Future Materials awards. The awards program was launched by the World Textile Information Network to reward innovation in the technical textiles market. DSM Dyneema was recognized for its innovation in textiles, its successful platform launch strategy and its industry leadership. DSM Dyneema was also honored in November by the Safe American Foundation™ with the 2014 WorldSafe Safety Product Innovation Award for the development of Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology. This award is given to individuals and organizations for their contributions to safety on the global stage.
Compared to body armor made from traditional materials such as aramid, protective vests engineered with Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology can reduce weight by up to 30 percent, while enhancing comfort and agility with fewer layers of material and increased flexibility. Anti-ballistic benefits include outstanding multiple hit performance and superior protection against angle and edge shots, as well as fragments from improvised explosive devices.
A variety of product applications will be on display at DSM Dyneema’s stand K.40 and company experts will be available to discuss how Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology can be used to enhance personal and vehicle protection to help manufacturers stay ahead of changes in the field. DSM Dyneema representatives also can connect 2015 LAAD attendees with armor manufacturers attending or exhibiting at the expo who can discuss their successful armor programs relying on Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology for game-changing ballistics protection performance.
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Notes for editors
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.
DSM - Bright Science. Brighter Living.™
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 has around 21,000 employees and delivers annual net sales of more than €9 billion. The company is listed on Euronext Amsterdam. More information can be found at www.dsm.com.
Dyneema® and Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™ are trademarks of DSM. Use of these trademarks is prohibited unless strictly authorized.
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