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In a move to no doubt reinforce
the May acquisition, DSM introduced
The Dyneema Project just ahead of
the Outdoor Retailer Summer Mar-
ket. The Dyneema Project’s mission
statement reads not unlike the an-
nouncement of a newborn by a proud
parent crossed with the awarding of a
Nobel Prize.
“Beginning in 2015, Dyneema will
be made more widely available to the
apparel market through a carefully
curated innovations program – The
Dyneema Project – undertaken in close
collaboration with selected brands and
mills,” said the company. “This project
honors the most cutting-edge brands
and state-of-the-art mills – those push-
ing the envelope of design and vision.
The Dyneema Project is dedicated to
the trailblazers, game changers and
innovators in apparel.”
As part of its “by invitation only”
commitment to expanding its techno-
logical reach, DSM is providing support
to designated trailblazers. It is accom-
plished through an active consultancy
in the way Intel supports computer
companies in the appropriate use of
its processors. It involves research and
development, sourcing mills and manu-
facturers and manufacturing support.
DSM calls it “Tailor made consultancy.”
Recipients of The Dyneema Project
honor include Levi Strauss and Co.,
adidas, Hyperlite Mountain Gear, Gi-
ant and Saint (Australian motorcycle
apparel), among other cutting-edge
fashion brands.
Of those, Levi Strauss and Co.,
already known for its sustainable de-
velopment work, has had encourag-
ing results with the use of Dyneema
in its denim. The implications for
outdoor apparel manufacturers are
many and on different levels. On
the all-important performance-driven
side, adding 5 percent to 10 percent
Dyneema in denim increases tensile
strength and tear resistance up to
100 percent over standard denim.
Abrasion resistance is improved up
to 200 percent. In comparison, high
tenacity nylon requires double the
amount of yarn yet remains 5 times
less tear resistant.
Esthetically, the hand, look and feel
of the denim remains unchanged – the
classic reasons why we love our jeans.
Environmentally, fewer raw materials
required to accomplish greater ends
means a better product and a smaller
carbon footprint. A stronger more du-
rable pair of jeans also suggests having
to replace them less frequently, again,
reducing the carbon footprint. DSM’s
Neil Bell, and former Global Fabric In-
novation Manager at Levi Straus, con-
curs. “We also don’t need to use more
cotton and materials to make more
(jeans),” he said. “We see the innova-
tion of Dyneema jeans in the fact that
they last two-and-a-half times longer
than a normal pair of jeans. By doing
this, people don’t need to buy a second
pair of jeans.”
Unquestionably, Dyneema has lots
to offer outdoor apparel in terms of
performance and the environment. The
hurdles seem to be similar to any new
technology. Product development has
to be at the point where the learning
curve matches what manufacturers
expect with a new technology. As a
premium solution, acknowledging the
value proposition is key until the econ-
omy of scale can address a larger part
of the market.
Finally, a Life Cycle Assessment
(LCA) must be commissioned to ensure
Dyneema’s environmental profile is in
line with the outdoor industry’s think-
ing going forward. If most of the above
conditions are met, and The Dyneema
Project’s seeds take root, it will not be
long before we see more lighter weight,
much stronger and smarter apparel
coming our way.
Anthracite-colored Dyneema Cubic Technology Fabric
Swatches of state-of-the-art materials developed by Dyneema Project with
collaboration partners.
Inside
Outdoor
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Winter
2016
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