With the launch today of a new coalition called CirculariTeam, Royal DSM, is seeking to push the transition towards the use of renewable bio- and recycled-based resources among the users of its Dyneema material across the value chain. The coalition, comprising industry partners from various industries, offers a common platform to share knowledge, resources, and technological solutions, with the goal of closing the loop on Dyneema, marketed by the company as the ‘world’s strongest fibre’.
CirculariTeam has identified seven focus areas: reverse logistics, recycle and reuse solutions, improved production efficiency (including waste reduction), separation of waste into material components, design for circularity, regulation, and information sharing.
CirculariTeam’s first declared goal is to demonstrate the technical feasibility of producing new Dyneema fibre from post-consumer waste by the end of 2021.
“DSM is dedicated to securing the future availability of natural resources and maximizing the value from the limited resources available. CirculariTeam® will serve as another opportunity to enable this, in line with our existing sustainability targets for DSM Protective Materials,” said Roeland Polet, co-chairman of CirculariTeam and president DSM Protective Materials: Together with our partners, we can deliver solutions and growth that benefits both business and society at large.”
Dyneema is an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibre, produced in a patented gel spinning process in which the fibres are drawn, heated, elongated, and cooled. The strongest of any thermoplastic, the fibre is extremely light. By weight, Dyneema is up to 15 times stronger than steel, yet it still floats in water.
Lines, chains and ropes of all kinds made from the material are lighter and stronger than those made from steel, as Wilco Stroet, senior vice president Global Maritime Lankhorst Ropes is well aware. Lankhorst has joined the coalition because of a ‘firm belief that it's our responsibility to leave the world better than we found it’.
Another member is NP Aerospace, which uses significant volumes of Dyneema year on year, said James Kempston, CEO, NP Aerospace.
“Dyneema is a central component to NP Aerospace life-saving armour products. We are pleased to be collaborating on this coalition, it will not only enable us to better meet our customers’ growing demands for more sustainable, circular products, but we will also be able to collectively build a better world for generations to come.”
The coalition will continue to regularly reassess its ambitions and review its progress over the coming years.