Royal DSM has launched CirculariTeam – a new coalition of companies aiming to share knowledge, resources, and technological solutions, with the goal of closing the loop on the production of Dyneema, the world’s strongest fibre.

Seven focus areas have been selected to achieve this – reverse logistics, recycle and reuse solutions, improved production efficiency (including waste reduction), the separation of waste into material components, design for circularity, regulation and information sharing.

The 14 companies joining up with Dyneema in the coalition include body armour specialists such as NFM Group, NP Aerospace and Point Blank Enterprises, rope makers like Gleistein, Lankhorst, Marlow and Teufelberger, as well as manufacturers of fibre reinforcements for composites and other protective equipment.

The parties have already begun collaborating on these topics and by the end of 2021, aim to demonstrate the technical feasibility of making new Dyneema fibre from post-consumer waste. Throughout the coming years, the coalition will continue to reassess its ambitions and review its progress through regular summits and ongoing communication.

“DSM is dedicated to securing the future availability of natural resources and maximising the value from the limited resources available,” said Roeland Polet, president of DSM Protective Materials. “CirculariTeam will serve as another opportunity to enable this, in line with our existing sustainability targets for DSM Protective Materials. Together with our partners, we can deliver solutions and growth that benefits both business and society at large.”

“Dyneema is a central component to NP Aerospace life-saving armour products and we use significant volumes year on year,” added James Kempston, CEO at NP Aerospace. “CirculariTeam offers a much-needed forum for cross-industry collaboration on topics such as recycling and renewable materials. We have worked with DSM for over 15 years and it is clear that they are leading the way in manufacturing innovation and green initiatives.”

DSM CirculariTeam