Dyneema® unveils groundbreaking hard ballistic product innovations, enabling a 45% weight reduction in protective armor systems

Following the successful launch of Dyneema® SB301 in 2023, the first soft ballistic material made with third-generation Dyneema® fiber, the introduction of Dyneema® HB330 and Dyneema® HB332 hard ballistic materials provides a comprehensive solution for advanced personal protection.

When combined into a complete body armor system, which typically pairs a soft armor vest with hard inserts for protection against handgun and rifle threats, third-generation Dyneema® materials enable a high-performance system 45% lighter than a system made from first-generation Dyneema® solutions – further lightening the load on law enforcement and military personnel while simultaneously maintaining the highest levels of ballistic protection and comfort.

“The new products in our third-generation fiber portfolio represent our biggest advancement in personal protection in the last decade,” says Marcelo van de Kamp, Global Business Director for Dyneema®, Avient. “The ultra-light weight of Dyneema® UD has long enabled ballistic solutions that support user comfort in high-pressure situations. With our latest soft and hard ballistic products designed to work together in a single body armor system, we’re enabling further improvements in agility and survivability for officers and operators in demanding environments.”

Dyneema® HB330 and Dyneema® HB332 offer a balanced approach on mechanical stiffness, temperature stability, and superior V50 performance – allowing body armor manufacturers to develop the lightest weight armor in the industry.

As the only manufacturer of ballistic materials to make both its fiber and UD material in-house in the United States of America, the Dyneema® brand is trusted by elite state and federal forces and fully compliant with the Berry Amendment. Dyneema® also provides the same level of consistency, quality, and traceability for European customers through its manufacturing facility in Heerlen, The Netherlands.

Like other Dyneema® UD material, Dyneema® HB330 and Dyneema® HB332 are made without intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) for personal protective solutions that can deliver unrivaled protection.