DSM Dyneema, the inventor and manufacturer of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber branded as Dyneema®, officially opened its new Asia Pacific Technical Center in Singapore today.
The 2,500m² state-of-the-art center, its first in the Asia Pacific region, will support the technological capabilities for customers and reinforce the already strong commercial and innovative success of Dyneema in all its core businesses across life protection, commercial marine, industrial, sports and new business development initiatives in this region.
In addition to traditional materials testing capabilities, the center houses Singapore’s first-ever independent ballistics testing facility, featuring two ballistic ranges, as well as labs for conducting comprehensive tests for both personal and vehicle armour applications in Dyneema. Tests can be carried out in accordance with international and regional ballistics standards. For DSM Dyneema, this will be the third global ballistics testing facility, complementing the existing technical centers in the US and Europe.
"With the setup of the Technical Center in Singapore, DSM Dyneema will be able to further expand and reinforce its global R&D expertise via local channels," said Christian Widdershoven, vice president, marketing and sales at DSM Dyneema. "The center is designed to meet current and future needs of customers in the rapidly growing Asia Pacific region. It will bring our company and innovative solutions closer and faster to them."
At the opening ceremony, Gerard de Reuver, president of DSM Dyneema, spoke of the company’s excitement of the new Asia Pacific Technical Center.
"The Asia Pacific region is a key part of our global corporate strategy focusing on high growth economies," he said. "With the opening of our new center we will provide our customers in this region with the support to ensure all their innovative and technical needs with Dyneema are met – truly With You When It Matters."
Demand for stronger, lighter and more sustainable solutions, such as DSM Dyneema’s fibre, uni-directional fabric and tape, continues to increase in the Asia Pacific region. Mr de Reuver added: "This new Asia Pacific Technical Center will be the heart of our operations in this key region, it will strengthen our focus and contribute to reinforcing our global and regional market leadership."
The guest-of-honour at the grand opening ceremony was Mr. Julian Ho, assistant managing director of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). "We are delighted to be home to DSM’s first global ballistics testing facility in Asia Pacific, and the regional headquarters for the DSM Dyneema business group. In order to succeed in the growing Asia marketplace, companies must constantly innovate new applications and processes in a manner that reflects the specific needs of the Asian consumer. Singapore is an ideal platform for leading specialty companies like DSM to orchestrate its business growth, and to develop and commercialise new products in Asia for Asia."
In line with the company’s commitment to sustainability, the center was designed and constructed in accordance to Singapore’s Building Construction Authority (BCA) Green Mark Scheme and achieved a GoldPLUS standard.