DSM Dyneema today announced that it will invest in a new world-class technical centre in Singapore, which will house the nation’s first independent ballistic testing centre and with technology that will support all DSM Dyneema existing and new businesses.

The Centre will be dedicated to serving DSM Dyneema’s growing customer base for Dyneema® Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) Fiber, Tape and Uni-Directional fabric in the Asia Pacific region. It is scheduled to be fully operated in the fourth quarter of 2012.

“We are taking our business aspirations in high growth economies to the next level,” says Gerard de Reuver, President of DSM Dyneema. “The Asia Pacific region is a key growth area for DSM Dyneema, and we are continuously increasing our presence here. Our partnership with the Singapore Economic Development Board through their Innovation Development Scheme has been instrumental in DSM Dyneema’s decision to establish the Centre here. We picked Singapore because of its geographical location, availability of a highly skilled workforce, good infrastructure and business-friendly government and environment”.

“The APAC Technical Centre is DSM Dyneema’s third global ballistics testing facility and our first such centre in Asia Pacific. It will also be home to the regional headquarters for DSM Dyneema Life Protection business.” says Marco Kleuters, Vice President of Life Protection APAC. “We are setting up a world class organization that inspires innovation and the creation of sustainable value chains, driven by regional demands. The APAC Technical Centre represents an important milestone in the development of our global corporate strategy. It will be an excellent place to meet and work closely with our regional partners.”

Mr. Liang Ting Wee, Director of Energy and Chemicals, Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) says “The APAC Technical Centre is a welcome addition to Singapore’s specialty materials landscape and we are delighted that Singapore has been a key partner to DSM as it grows its operations internationally. We look forward to DSM Dyneema leveraging its advanced facility as it develops innovative applications for Dyneema® to better serve the needs of its customers.”

The 2500 sq m APAC Technical Centre will incorporate a basement housing two ballistic testing ranges as well as high tech equipment and testing labs where technicians will be able to conduct comprehensive tests on personal and vehicle protection applications with Dyneema® in accordance with international, European and regional Asia Pacific standards.

It will also drive research and development as part of DSM Dyneema’s Fiber Solutions global R&D facility by supporting new application development and enhancing the technological capabilities for APAC customers as well as developing and driving new application areas like renewable energy in the region.

The Technical centre is designed and constructed in line with DSM Dyneema’s commitment to sustainability by aligning itself with Singapore’s Building Construction Authority (BCA) Green Mark Scheme. It incorporates green building technologies resulting in a high-level of energy efficiency and sustainable work environment.

The Asia Pacific region is becoming increasingly important in global development of innovative products. DSM Dyneema’s commitment to invest in Singapore is a testimony to its long term view and to connect with APAC based customers to develop innovative solutions using Dyneema®, to save and improve quality of life.