DSM DYNEEMA REVEALS NEW TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM FOR LIGHT-WEIGHT VEHICLE ARMOR OF THE FUTURE

URMOND (NL) – 16 June 2008 – At this year’s Eurosatory, the International Land, Airland, Homeland Defence Exhibition in Paris, 16 - 20 June 2008, DSM Dyneema announced its new technology platform that will extend the material choice for vehicle protection of the future. This follows DSM’s recent announcement of a 450 million USD investment in its Dyneema® business. This new technology platform is currently under evaluation for key vehicle protection programs before becoming commercially available. Products derived from it will allow armor designers and decision makers to balance the requirements for better performing vehicles, increased payloads, and room for future weight growth. In addition, they will address the need for better protection against the most dangerous and emerging threats today.

DSM Dyneema, the global market leader of UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight PolyEthylene ) fiber and UniDirectional (UD) textile roll-goods, has added a novel ballistic UHMWPE tape system that provides the ideal platform for lightweight yet highly effective vehicle armor solutions. This is the first time DSM Dyneema offers this new and additional versatile platform, which will meet a wide range of vehicle protection needs. It is anticipated to become the material of choice for future light to medium weight tactical and utility vehicles that have a highly challenging balance to make between mobility and protection.

Ivo Oerlemans, marketing manager Vehicle Protection for DSM Dyneema says, “We are very excited about the possibilities of this new tape technology.This will broaden the range of choice we offer the market in vehicle protection significantly. Prototype “X32” is currently being evaluated by a targeted group of key partners who have an urgent need to provide capable vehicle protection for the most difficult emerging threats, without crippling vehicles with weight. First sales in these programs are expected in the second part of this year”.

About DSM Dyneema

DSM Dyneema is the inventor and manufacturer of Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™. Dyneema® is an ultra strong polyethylene fiber that offers maximum strength combined with minimum weight. It is up to 15 times stronger than quality steel and up to 40% stronger than aramid fibers, both on weight for weight basis. Dyneema® 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 sporting goods and the medical sector. In addition, Dyneema® is also used in bullet resistant armor and clothing for police and military personnel.

Dyneema® is produced in Heerlen (The Netherlands) and in Greenville, North Carolina (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 www.dyneema.com.

DSM – the Life Sciences and Materials Sciences Company

Royal DSM N.V. creates innovative products and services in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences that contribute to the quality of life. DSM’s products and services are used globally in a wide range of markets and applications, supporting a healthier, more sustainable and more enjoyable way of life. End markets include human and animal nutrition and health, personal care, pharmaceuticals, automotive, coatings and paint, electrics and electronics, life protection and housing. DSM has annual sales of almost EUR 8.8 billion and employs some 23,000 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in the Netherlands, with locations on five continents. DSM is listed on Euronext Amsterdam. More information on DSM can be found at www.dsm.com.

Dyneema®, Dyneema Purity® and Dyneema®, the world's strongest fiber™ are trademark(s) (applications) owned by Royal DSM N.V.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Reader enquiries