DSM Dyneema Receives Three ITMA Future Materials 2014 Awards for Its Radical Innovation: Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology
Company is honored for innovation in textiles, its successful platform launch strategy and its industry leadership
Dresden, Germany – DSM Dyneema announced today that it has won three ITMA Future Materials awards based on its breakthrough Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology platform. Future Materials honored DSM Dyneema, the manufacturer of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMwPE) fiber, branded as Dyneema®, and a world leader in life protection materials and high-performance fibers, with awards for Best Innovation – Industrial Textiles; Most Innovative Large Company; and Launch of the Year. The awards were presented to DSM Dyneema's Yvonne Engelen, vice president marketing and sales, and Shitij Chabba, global segment director life protection, at an awards ceremony in Dresden, Germany, on Nov. 26.
These awards collectively recognize the exceptional innovation and success of the Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology platform, which was launched in 2013 as the culmination of an intensive, 30-month research and development initiative. As a DSM Dyneema Radical Innovation, Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology is enabling development of textiles for game-changing life protection and industrial applications, including soft body armor, hard materials for helmets, vest inserts and vehicle protection. This platform delivers exceptional ballistic performance and the lightest weight and lowest profile for armor applications.
"It's a great honor to receive multiple recognitions from our industry peers in the inaugural ITMA Future Materials Awards program," said Chabba. "These diverse awards attest to the versatility of our Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology and to the dramatic ways it is revolutionizing the performance and technical textile industries. They also underscore the importance of ongoing innovation and an entrepreneurial attitude, even within a large company like DSM Dyneema. We look forward to fostering future breakthroughs that can advance the technical textiles industry."
Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology is a "radical innovation that delivers disruptive, game-changing, breakthrough materials for soft body armor and hard materials for helmets, vest inserts and vehicle armor," the judges said, explaining why DSM Dyneema won the Future Materials Award for Best Innovation – Industrial Textiles. They also highlighted its "impressive implementation and excellent market take-up potential."
Discussing the award for Most Innovative Large Company, the judges praised the "very impressive achievement by innovative products, especially the lightweight, flexible and durable protective textiles. In addition, the company even creates a platform to link technicians and product designers to shorten the market journey."
DSM Dyneema won the Launch of the Year award for Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology because, the judges said, "after a 30-month RD initiative that yielded dramatic, and potentially game-changing materials for armor, DSM Dyneema devised and implemented a successful four-part launch strategy, that addresses significant market need."
As publishers of Future Materials magazine, World Textile Information Network (WTiN) launched the Future Materials Awards to reward innovation in the highly competitive technical textiles market.
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.
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If you have any questions or requests, please contact:
Nathali Donatz
DSM Dyneema
Tel.: +31 46 476 6466
E-mail: press.dyneema@dsm.com
