DSM drives up Dyneema fiber production capacity in US

20 Dec '05

3 min read

DSM, the largest producer of high performance polyethylene (HPPE) fiber in the world, 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.

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 North Sea shuttle tankers 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.

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