Cases

Dyneema^® Max Technology

Lightweight Tycan^® chains made with Dyneema have been hailed for their outstanding performance by users across a wide range of industries, from shipping, mining and oil and gas to commercial fishing.

TYCAN non-metallic link chains are made with Dyneema DM20 fiber based on Dyneema Max Technology, an innovative platform for extremely low-creep solutions.

The chains weigh up to 8 times less than conventional metal chains, meaning they are safer and far easier to handle as well as around 70 times less noisy in use, which further promotes safer and more user-friendly working conditions. Using TYCAN chains eliminates the dents and scratches to both cargo and vessel often caused by steel chains and translates in many cases to lower labor costs - fewer simultaneous hands needed, more efficient securing processes – and on ships, to shorter port stay times and hence lower costs.

Taking the strain

Dextron^® 12 Plus ropes made with Dyneema fiber, manufactured by OTS AS in Norway, were selected by the Costa Concordia salvage team for use in what’s known as the ‘parbuckling’ or up ending of the wreck phase of the mammoth operation. According to the Senior Salvage Master the use of Dextron 12 Plus ropes with Dyneema saved many days in installing the subsea hold-back system, minimizing the physical efforts required by the dive team. It also prevented elasticity and maintained the required strength while helping preserve the precious marine environment at the same time.

The Dextron 12 Plus ropes remained connected to Costa Concordia, holding the righted vessel in position, until it was refloated and towed to its final destination.

Net savings - with a difference

As any fisherman will tell you, the world’s oceans are distinctly less crowded than they once were. Putting fish on our table has always been a notoriously hazardous job. But in recent years it’s became increasingly expensive – both environmentally and financially due to sky-high fuel costs.

Because they are so light - not to mention waterproof - fishing nets and lines made with Dyneema are easier for boats to drag through the water, which in turn lowers fuel consumption. We wanted to find out exactly how much fuel was saved – so we asked the fishermen themselves by spending a year tracking two Atlantic-bound fishing operations specializing in herring and mackerel.

The results were astounding. Operators generally achieved fuel savings of around 10%, which in one case amounted to almost €100,000 in one year.

To put that in an environmental perspective that’s an annual reduction in emissions equivalent to 100 cars!