DSM DYNEEMA LAUNCHES DYNEEMA® FORCE MULTIPLIER TECHNOLOGY FOR LIFE PROTECTION, COMBINING ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE AND USABILITY IN ONE MATERIAL

Fusion of science, technology and engineering yields a revolutionary solution for hard and soft ballistic armor

Paris, 19 November 2013 - DSM Dyneema, the manufacturer of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMwPE) fiber, branded as Dyneema®, and world leader in life protection materials and high performance fibers, today officially introduced Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology, built on its Radical Innovation platform, the company's newest product development program. Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology combines breakthroughs in polymer science, next-generation fiber technology and unique uni-directional engineering to deliver up to 25 percent higher ballistic protection while reducing weight by up to 20 percent. Here at Milipol 2013, three companies – Rheinmetall Ballistic Protection GmbH, Point Blank Enterprises and TenCate Advanced Armour – are exhibiting applications that feature the first Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology products. These initial applications demonstrate the exceptional capabilities of this new technology and set the stage for future innovations in soft and hard ballistic protection. All Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology products are manufactured at the DSM Dyneema facility in Greenville, N.C.

“We have eliminated the traditional compromise between higher protection and lower weight, enabling armor manufacturers to meet tomorrow’s threats and design challenges,” said Shitij Chabba, Global Segment Director, Life Protection, DSM Dyneema. “With off-the-chart ballistic performance combined with the lightest weight and lowest profile ever demonstrated, Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology will define future standards in life protection, including soldier modernization. This dramatically different technology is not just the first deliverable from our Radical Innovation initiative, it’s also a clear demonstration of our ongoing commitment to saving lives.”

DSM Dyneema views adoption of next-generation material technologies as critical in addressing major law enforcement and military trends that are intensifying the need to reduce the weight of protective gear. Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology delivers benefits of significantly lighter weight – enhanced comfort and flexibility for people and greater range, agility and capacity for vehicles – while providing extreme ballistic performance.

The new products based on Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology can be used to design personal protection (vests, inserts, helmets, soft armor applications and extremity protection) and vehicle armor. Additional products based on this technology are planned.

Dedicated to Innovation
DSM Dyneema has two unique paths for providing the best protection to law enforcement and the military. Radical Innovations are major breakthrough products that leap over the highest-performance solutions and create new standards in performance. Micro Innovations enhance the DSM Dyneema product portfolio with incremental improvements that help manufacturers and designers quickly respond to tenders and specifications from their customers with innovative solutions that meet every budget need.

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. 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 23,500 employees deliver annual net sales of about €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 DSM. Use of these trademarks is prohibited unless strictly authorized.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Anouk Luykx
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This release was published on openPR.