DSM Dyneema completes first large-scale ballistic tape facility

11-May-12

DSM Dyneema has announced several important new accomplishments at its ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) materials manufacturing facility that underscore the company’s growing global position as a leading supplier of advanced materials solutions for the life protection industry. These include the opening of a new facility for the manufacture of Dyneema® Ballistic Tape; the critical role the company played in Ceradyne Inc.’s successful development of the new Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH) for the United States Marine Corps and Army, and ongoing investment in cutting-edge product development. The Greenville plant is now the site for the new large scale facility that will manufacture Dyneema® Ballistic Tape for the defense and law enforcement industries, as well as other developing applications. This high-end product features many of the same performance properties of Dyneema® UD composite and gives manufacturers greater flexibility in armor design while providing cost-effective protection against high-velocity ballistics and fragments. Application areas include both body and vehicle armor such as spall liners, inserts and shields. The announcements focus on DSM Dyneema’s ongoing commitment to the defense, law enforcement and civilian protection sectors through advanced new life protection innovations that “lighten the load” and increase peace-of-mind protection. An example of next-generation solutions is DSM Dyneema’s HB80 unidirectional (UD) composite – one of the highest-performing ballistic materials on the market today. The material is Ceradyne’s winning choice to develop the new ECH. In March 2012, Ceradyne was awarded an initial production order for the ECH and expects to receive a full multi-year production order by the end of the second quarter of 2012. Dyneema® HB80 composite gives the ECH exceptional fragmentation performance without increasing weight.