First climate-neutral sailcloth

Dimension-Polyant, the world’s largest manufacturer of sailcloth, has developed the first 100 percent climate-neutral sailcloth using bio-based raw material. Their Hydra Net® radial material is now manufactured with Dyneema® which contains HMPE (High Modulus Polyethylene) from renewable raw materials and thus has a significantly lower carbon footprint than the conventional Dyneema® fibre with the same technical properties.

The Dutch chemical group DSM developed the first ever bio-based ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber with bio-based Dyneema®. Sourced from renewable, bio-based feedstock, the newest innovation in fiber technology uses the mass balance approach to help further reduce the reliance on fossil fuel resources.

The quality, durability and performance of the new sailcloth remain unchanged. Hydra Net® radial will now be produced exclusively in this more environmentally friendly version at the Kempen plant and will replace the previous product.

Dimension-Polyant has already been producing in a climate-neutral manner in Kempen, Germany and Putnam, USA since the beginning of the year. The carbon emissions at the two company locations were recorded within the framework of DIN ISO 50001 and significantly reduced through the use of green electricity, green gas and other measures.

All remaining emissions are offset through a cooperation with ClimatePartner and its Plastic Free Oceans climate protection project.

“As part of our commitment to more sustainability in sailing,” explains Managing Director Uwe Stein, “we have been working on more environmentally friendly solutions for our products for a long time and are proud to be able to offer our sailmakers our first completely climate-neutral sailcloth as of today, which also saves fossil raw materials.”

The product will also carry the inhouse cleenTEC® seal. This seal identifies products that are 100 per cent climate neutral and contain recycled or bio-based raw materials and is intended to serve as a guide for customers and end consumers.

In the near future, other products such as DYS®, Hydra Net®, and FLEX®-Ultra will also be offered with bio-based Dyneema® and thus also receive the cleenTEC® seal.

For more information, click here.

Source: Dimension-Polyant