DSM Dyneema demonstrates potential to turn used soft armor vests into creative new products
Continuing its ‘Greenest Strength’ mission, DSM Dyneema will provide an example of a creative way to re-use material from out-of-service soft armour vests at Milipol in Paris, France on November 21-24, 2017.
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 fibre today offers 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 life, a lowest carbon footprint in application lifetime is the result. Over recent years DSM Dyneema has further improved its environmental footprint in its manufacturing processes amongst other areas and is committed to continue on 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 uniforms 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 for 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.”
“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 the potential of re-using Dyneema UD in 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 to 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 armour.”
DSM Dyneema is the inventor and manufacturer of Ultra High Molecular Weight PolyEthylene (UHMWPE) fibre branded as Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fibre™. 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 fibres, both on weight for weight basis. Dyneema® fibre 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 armour 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 http://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 EUR 10 billion with approximately 25000 employees. The company is listed on Euronext Amsterdam.