DYNEEMA® WILL BE USED BY REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH KOREA) ARMY FOR MULTI-PURPOSE BODY ARMOR PROGRAM

High ballistic protection and low weight of Dyneema® will equip South Korean defense personnel more effectively for future challenges

South Korea, 5 Aug 2014 - DSM Dyneema, the inventor and manufacturer of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMwPE) fiber, branded as Dyneema®, and world leader in life protection materials and high performance fibers, is proud to announce that Dyneema® will be used as the ballistic protection material of choice and key solution for enhanced lightweight armor for the Republic of Korea (South Korea) Army Multi-purpose Body Armor Program.

“We are extremely pleased that Dyneema® will be a ballistic protection material of choice for both vests and inserts for the multi-purpose body armor program in South Korea,” said Nicole Ng, Marketing Manager, Life Protection Segment, Asia Pacific, at DSM Dyneema. “Dyneema® provides multiple benefits as a lighter weight and more durable solution that does not compromise ballistic protection compared to conventional materials. It allows modern military defense personnel to carry more equipment, operate with greater agility, speed and comfort for longer periods of time.”

The Multi-Purpose Body Armor Program is part of South Korea’s efforts in soldier modernization, seeking to equip defense personnel with lightweight armor that provides enhanced protection over a large area of the body, thus increasing protection and survivability.

This multi-year program will see the Republic of Korea Army equipped with bullet-resistant vests and insert panels that incorporate UHMwPE uni-directional material from DSM Dyneema, capable of protecting against a wide range of ballistic threats including fragments and rifle ammunitions. Production of the bullet-resistant vests and inserts will start this year.

Shitij Chabba, Global Segment Director, Life Protection at DSM Dyneema said: “The adoption of composite materials in general, and Dyneema® in particular, meets the needs for soldier modernization programs for life protection around the world, and the South Korean Multi-purpose Body Armor program is another testament to DSM Dyneema’s innovative success. With our expanded product portfolio and advanced innovation platform, DSM Dyneema continues to lead the market by offering our customers globally the opportunity to significantly reduce body armor weight while maintaining enhanced ballistic protection.”

He added: “In the region, through DSM Dyneema’s Asia Pacific Technical Center in Singapore, we are strongly committed to working closely with our Asia Pacific partners and customers to effectively drive innovative developments with Dyneema® to protect and save more lives - we are With You When It Matters.”

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’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.

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
EMG
Lelyweg 6
4612 PS Bergen op Zoom
The Netherlands
Tel.: +31 164 317 017
E-mail: aluykx@emg-pr.com

This release was published on openPR.