DSM in Marine: Exploring unchartered scientific waters
Our work in the marine industry covers everything from super-durable resins that protect boats, to wind-powered shipping, to next-generation fishing equipment that catches more fish and uses less fuel, to oil exploration.
Some 90% of goods transported around the world are carried by ships – most of which are powered by vast amounts of oil. Meanwhile, the United Nations estimates that global demand for fish will double in the coming decades; which means we need to find better, greener, more efficient ways of harvesting the fruits of the ocean…
In wind-powered shipping
We’ve teamed up with several leading names in the Marine industry to launch an extraordinary revolution in shipping: SkySails.
The SkySail is a towing kite technology that literally propels giant ships – reducing fuel consumption and emissions by up to 35%. Our own Dyneema® fiber is used to make the ropes that pull and hoist the kite – which operates in violent winds, high in the sky.
Until now, wind-powered shipping wasn’t commercially viable because of the space needed to accommodate giant masts and sails – and the resultant lost in speed-through-the-water. Now, with SkySails, the recession-hit global shipping community has a genuine answer. In fact, we conservatively estimate that 3,000 cargo ships will feature SkySails by 2020.
SkySails is just one of many tough marine applications based on ropes and pulleys using Dyneema®. For example, did you know we help anchor oil rigs up to two miles under the sea?
In fishing
Our Dyneema® fiber is being used for a new generation of ecologically sound fishing nets – from the biggest commercial operations to the weekend amateur.
Apart from the boat itself, netting and ropes represent probably the most important investment in commercial fishing. The economics are simple: Fuel costs are driven by the weight of load-nets, ropes, and their resultant ‘drag’ through the water. Dyneema® absorbs no water at all and offers the lowest weight available for its strength. That strength – 15 times stronger than steel – also comes into play by greatly reducing breakage and equipment failure.
From industrial fish farmers to the lone fisherman operating from Brazil to Bangladesh, stronger nets simply mean less fish escape. Many fish (sea bass, sea bream, cod) actually bite – which makes strong, but light netting essential. Because Dyneema® has a world record strength-to-weight ratio we enable farms to increase their enclosures without increasing weight, staff or machinery. Just as importantly, we stop fisherman, their families and communities missing out on a meal.
In boat design
The lighter, stronger and more durable the vessel, the faster it goes. Our composite resins are increasingly used to make lighter vessels that not only require less fuel to power them, but are faster through the water (we were key in helping the Dutch women’s 470 sailing team bring home a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics). Commercially, our composite resins are used in the high-end, Italian-made yachts that grace the world’s marinas.
Of course fiber glass is a key component of modern vessel design and for over 30 years DSM Neoxil® has been the world’s most trusted brand name in sizings and binders for the glass fiber reinforcement industry – in fact we offer the broadest portfolio for applications and chemistries.
