Press Release on cooperation between Dyneema® and DenimX®

1. Press Release
DSM Dyneema, Press Office
press.dyneema@dsm.com
www.dyneema.com
DYNPR357EN1117
ARMOR MADE WITH DYNEEMA® UD SHOWS POTENTIAL TO MAKE DYNEEMA®, THE
GREENEST STRENGTH™ EVEN GREENER
DSM Dyneema demonstrates potential to turn used soft armor vests into usable new products
The Netherlands, 14 November 2017 - Continuing its ‘Greenest Strength’ mission, DSM Dyneema will at
Milipol in Paris 21-24 November provide an example of a creative way to re-use material from out-of-
service soft armor vests.
Dyneema®
UD (Uni-Directional bullet resistant sheet) is a key ballistic ingredient for best-in-class life
protection applications like vests, helmets, and inserts, protecting soldiers and law enforcement officers.
Compared to alternative materials, Dyneema®
fiber offers today the lowest carbon footprint per unit of
tenacity. Since solutions with Dyneema®
UD require less material to achieve a given performance and have
a high durability and long service live, a lowest carbon footprint in application lifetime is the result. Over
the last years DSM Dyneema has further improved its environmental footprint in amongst others its
manufacturing processes and is committed to continue the path.
DSM Dyneema is now also examining ways for body armor manufacturers and end-customers to reduce
waste from end products made with Dyneema®
UD material. Waste material from ballistic sheets is
generated in two ways. One is the off-cuts from Dyneema®
UD sheets when making the end-products like a
vest. The other is when the protective article is taken out of service.
For the concept presented at Milipol, DSM Dyneema worked together with Marc Meijers, designer at
DenimX. This resulted in prototype design table made with a combination of re-used Dyneema®
UD sheets
and DenimX. DenimX has a process that converts used clothing, such as combat uniform and textiles into
thin sheets.
Making the table involved shredding the used ballistic soft armor panels and offcuts, then pressing the
material into flat sheets. This material is then used as input into an alternative value chain.
“By breathing new life into used vests, we can support and encourage a circular economy,” says Dirk
Louwers, global marketing director Life protection at DSM. “By seeking ways to re-use ballistic protection
materials into new applications, vest manufacturers and end-users such as the police or military may
avoid having to dispose of offcut waste or used vests.”

2. Press Release
“The table follows the re-using principle, using panels made of shredded Dyneema®
UD finished with blue
or desert camouflage fabric,” says Marc Meijers, DenimX. “It’s a perfect illustration of potential of re-
using Dyneema®
UD into a new product, and will help inspire more designers to explore alternative ideas.”
Looking ahead, DSM Dyneema aims to build on the success of this finished prototype of re-used Dyneema®
UD. The company is inviting interested parties to work with them in further develop opportunities to take
re-use to the next level. “Our first objective is to work with partners to achieve a scalable process. The
technical feasibility is proven.” says Dirk Louwers. “By involving partners and customers in this effort, we
will discover new ways to breathe new life into what are already solutions with Dyneema®
UD that
demonstrate the Greenest Strength™ in materials used for body armor.”
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 the medical sector. In addition, Dyneema®
is also used in bullet resistant armor and
clothing for police and military personnel. Furthermore the new generation Dyneema®
Fabrics offer next
level innovations in denim, apparel, footwear, sports equipment and lightweight outdoor products and
accessories.
UHMWPE products from DSM Dyneema are produced in Heerlen (The Netherlands), Greenville, North
Carolina (U.S.A.) and Mesa, Arizona (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 and its associated companies
deliver annual net sales of about €10 billion with approximately 25,000 employees. The company is listed
on Euronext Amsterdam. More information can be found at www.dsm.com.

3. Press Release
Dyneema®
and Dyneema®
, the world’s strongest fiber™
are trademarks of DSM. Use of these
trademarks is prohibited unless strictly authorized.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
If you have any questions or requests, please contact:
Ariela Verboord
DSM Dyneema
Tel.: +31 46 750 65 55
E-mail: press.dyneema@dsm.com
Armor Made with Dyneema®
UD Shows Potential to Make Dyneema®
, the Greenest Strength™ Even Greener.
(Photo DSM Dyneema, DYNPR357)