DSM, the largest manufacturer of high performance polyethylene (HPPE) fiber in
the world, today announces its decision to make another investment in a new
production line for Dyneema® fiber in Greenville, North Carolina (USA). It is
the third announcement this year of new Dyneema® fiber production lines at
DSM’s Greenville site, following earlier decisions to build two additional
fiber lines and one Dyneema® UD (UniDirectional bullet resistant sheet) line.
The investment will be substantial, amounting to several tens of millions of
US dollars, and will bring the total number of fiber lines for the company to
nine, with four production lines being located at the Greenville facility.
Expansion of Dyneema® fiber capacity follows the continued strong demand in
all application areas, such as heavy marine mooring ropes, sports
applications, and cut resistant garments. Due to the continuing strong demand
for personal security and protection against terrorism, production in
Greenville until today has had a strong focus on supplying the US army and law
enforcement agencies. By adding extra multi-functional capacity to its highly
integrated Greenville site, DSM remains capable of meeting growing demand from
all segments in which the company is active. The new line is expected to come
on stream mid 2007. Construction is planned to start in January 2006.
“Investing in further growth of Dyneema® in the US contributes to the
targets set in our new strategy
Vision 2010 - Building on Strengths”, says Jan Zuidam, deputy
chairman of the DSM Managing Board. “This additional investment fully
supports our growth and innovation strategy, while contributing to improving
the balance between our sales by origin and by destination.”
The markets for Dyneema® continue to show growing demand. BP Shipping, for
example - a long-time satisfied user of mooring ropes with Dyneema® - have
been using Dyneema® based ropes on a North Sea shuttle tanker since 1997. In
these most extreme conditions the ropes have shown minimal loss of strength.
BP Shipping therefore recently also selected Dyneema® based mooring ropes on
their newly built LNG carriers.
DSM will continue to expand its global capacity for Dyneema® to maintain its
global market leadership position.
DSM Dyneema
DSM Dyneema is the inventor and manufacturer of
Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber. Dyneema® is a super strong polyethylene
fiber that 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® floats on water and is
extremely durable and resistant to moisture, UV light and chemicals. Its
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.
Dyneema® is produced in Heerlen (the Netherlands) and in Greenville, North
Carolina (USA). DSM Dyneema is also a partner in a HPPE manufacturing joint
venture with Toyobo (Japan). Further information on DSM Dyneema is available
at www.dyneema.com.
Dyneema® is a registered trademark of Royal DSM N.V.
