The performance and endurance of military, law enforcement and security personnel have always been affected by the weight of their gear. Today, however, major trends are intensifying the impact of weight and underscoring the urgent need for new, lighter materials that can deliver top protective performance combined with usability.

Multiple global government initiatives are underway to reduce the weight of personal protective equipment for soldiers. DSM Dyneema, the manufacturer of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMwPE) fiber, branded as Dyneema, and world leader in life protection materials and high performance fibers, sees the adoption of next-generation lighter material technologies as an important part of the answer.

This view is supported by experts, who predict the use of UHMwPE materials in body and vehicle protection will show double-digit growth in the next five years.

“To address the pressing issue of weight reduction in both body armor and vehicle armor applications while providing the best ballistic performance, new materials need to deliver significant improvements and remain affordable,” said Shitij Chabba, Global Segment Director, Life Protection.

“The increased concern for security around the globe and higher threat levels on the street call for greater flexibility to optimize armor protection and comfort. DSM Dyneema is proactively developing advanced UHMwPE fiber, uni-directional and tape platforms that can deliver uncompromising protection at every budget level.”

Key Trends Driving the Need for Lighter Life Protection

Two important and ongoing trends in law enforcement are contributing to the demand for personal protective gear that can deliver both higher ballistic performance and lighter weight.

Law enforcement is shifting to the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) .06 standard.

In 2008, NIJ Standard 0101.06, Ballistic Resistance of Body Armor signaled the latest evolution in standards by which law enforcement protective vests are measured. It establishes new and updated minimum performance requirements and test methods for the ballistic resistance of personal body armor designed to protect the torso against gunfire.

According to Dale Stockton, editor-in-chief of Law Officer Magazine and a 32-year law enforcement veteran, “The new 06 standards presented some real challenges to manufacturers and there have been some early comments that 06-compliant armor was more rigid and less flexible. However, I'm confident that manufacturers will find a way to work within the standards and work with NIJ to provide body armor that just keeps getting better. The market will drive this and ultimately the officers will benefit.”

Some officers avoid wearing body armor for reasons of comfort.

Mandatory wear policies are becoming the norm across the country, but some officers are still going without armor because of rationalized behavior or exceptions such as an administrative assignment or a training day. How many cops aren’t wearing armor? The numbers are only an educated guess but the best indications are that as many as 40 percent of uniformed police officers go to work without wearing body armor. This varies dramatically by area of the country, type of assignment and mission of the law enforcement agency.

From his own experience, Stockton observes, “When we do Below 100 training, we always ask about the excuses for not wearing body armor. The top two answers are always: "It's hot." and "It's uncomfortable." In fact, even when I did training in Alaska in December, that was the response.”

Dyneema UHMwPE materials provide top ballistic performance combined with light weight and flexibility for enhanced comfort and agility for the body armor. Inherently, Dyneema UHMwPE fiber is 40 percent lighter than competitive materials yet offers exceptional ballistic protection as well as excellent resistance to moisture and chemicals.

To meet the global demand for enhanced protection while staying within the stringent budget requirements, DSM Dyneema has two unique paths for providing the best protection to the law enforcement and military.

Radical Innovations are major breakthrough products that leap over the highest-performance solutions and create new standards in performance. Micro Innovations enhance the DSM Dyneema product portfolio with incremental improvements that help manufacturers and designers quickly respond to tenders and specifications from their customers with innovative solutions that meet every budget need.

DSM Dyneema will showcase the new Dyneema Force Multiplier Technology products from the company’s Radical Innovation platform at Milipol 2013, held Nov. 19 – 22 in Paris. Visit the DSM Dyneema booth #5 G 031 to see the exciting, game-changing technology for yourself and understand why this Radical Innovation exemplifies the company’s commitment to be “with you when it matters.”

“After decades of working closely with our global customers to innovate advanced new materials for improved personal and vehicle protection, DSM Dyneema recognizes that the fundamental demands for improved safety and comfort are more important than ever before,” said Chabba.

“Our strong leadership position is directly linked to our long history of listening and understanding the market needs, and proactively working to develop new breakthroughs in UHMwPE fiber technology. We are committed to continuing that tradition to help advance our customers’ safety and well-being, while driving the market for protective gear toward new heights.”

About DSM Dyneema

DSM Dyneema is the inventor and manufacturer of Ultra High Molecular Weight PolyEthylene (UHMWPE) fiber branded as Dyneema, the world’s strongest fiber™. Dyneema 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 fiber 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.