#Yarn & Fiber

2025-02-06

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

Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation (NYSE: AVNT), an innovator of materials solutions, unveils its most advanced ballistic materials to date with the launch of Dyneema® HB330 and Dyneema® HB332. Engineered with third-generation Dyneema® fiber technology, these groundbreaking unidirectional (UD) materials set a new standard for ballistic performance and weight reduction, enhancing protection in hard armor applications such as inserts, helmets, and vehicle armor.

When the weight of responsibility is enough, the world’s strongest fiber™ makes unparalleled personal protection lighter than ever – enhancing safety and mobility for law enforcement and military personnel © 2025 Avient

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.

DYNEEMA® and NP Aerospace advance personal protection for military servicewomen

Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, an innovator of materials solutions, is supplying its high-performance unidirectional (UD) materials to world-leading armor manufacturer NP Aerospace, enabling the production of armor systems designed specifically to fit the female body. With 2,000 new armor systems, including 4,000 plates, made in the United Kingdom (UK) and delivered in June 2026, this collaboration addresses a long-standing lack of high-quality personal protection specially built for female defense and security personnel.

Dyneema® launches new fiber for protective gloves

Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, (NYSE: AVNT), an innovator of materials solutions, today announces its third generation of Dyneema® Diamond fiber. Surpassing cut protection and light-weight performance of prior-generation fiber, the new material enables gloves to be made using a single yarn technology – delivering built-in cut resistance without the need for reinforcement yarns. The result is a significant enhancement of comfort, dexterity, and user safety.

Expansive innovations converge in Shanghai as Yarn Expo Autumn 2026 opens doors next week

With just days to go, industry enthusiasm is building for the opening of Yarn Expo Autumn, Asia’s premier yarn and fibre trade fair, running from 25 – 27 August at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Across 27,000 sqm in Hall 8.2, buyers will find nearly 600 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions, spread across seven specialised zones that range from cutting-edge man-made and regenerated fibres to time-honoured cashmere and silk. Beyond the extensive sourcing options, a fringe programme of trend showcases, presentations and product launches rounds out the three¬day event with design, innovation and market intelligence.

Dornbirn GFC 2026 expands conference program with new thematic sessions

For 65 years, Dornbirn GFC has stood for innovation and is one of the world’s leading conferences in the fiber industry. From September 16 to 18, 2026, the international fiber community will meet in Dornbirn, Austria, to discuss current trends, technological developments, and forward-looking solutions. More than 600 experts from industry and academia from over 30 countries are expected to attend. With around 100 presentations by renowned speakers, a 2,5-day conference program, and three parallel presentation rooms with moderated sessions, Dornbirn GFC provides a first-class platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and international collaboration. Together, participants will generate ideas and impulses that will sustainably shape the future of the global fiber industry.

Lenzing reports improved half-year results and advances strategic transformation

Despite a persistently challenging market environment in the first half of 2026, characterized by volatile energy and raw material prices, subdued global consumer demand and intensified competition from Asia, the Lenzing Group significantly improved its financial performance. Net result after tax more than doubled to EUR 35.6 million, compared with EUR 15.2 million in the first half of 2025. Free cash flow increased to EUR 45.8 million, while EBITDA amounted to EUR 239.2 million. Revenue totaled EUR 1.27 billion, compared with EUR 1.34 billion in the previous year.

RE&UP’s Next-Gen Cotton fibers power Zalando private label t-shirt collection crafted from innovative recycled textiles

RE&UP Recycling Technologies’ Next-Gen Cotton powers a new collection from Zalando’s private labels, marking a step forward in bringing textile-to-textile recycled fibers into commercial fashion production. Launching on Zalando in August, the collection comprises five t-shirts across YOURTURN by Zalando and Even&Odd by Zalando, made from a circular-knit fabric blending 80% organic cotton with 20% RE&UP Next-Gen Cotton — textile-to-textile recycled fiber produced from textile waste. This is the first time RE&UP's recycled fibers feature in Zalando's private label assortment.

Heimtextil Trends 27/28: ‘Home-Maxxing’ between performance and respite

Sleep better, recover faster, live more efficiently: the desire for optimisation has long since reached our homes. Under the title ‘Home-Maxxing – The Performance of Everyday Living’, Heimtextil Trends 27/28 show how our relationship with efficiency-driven thinking and technology is influencing the design of spaces and textiles. The more sleep, wellness, routines, materials and spaces are optimised, the stronger the desire for a home that does not demand even more of us.

Driving circularity with Uster Recycled Fiber Matrix

The textile industry’s commitment to circularity continues to accelerate, and mechanical recycling is viewed as a targeted approach to cutting textile waste and its environmental impact. At the forefront of this drive, Uster has developed the Recycled Fiber Matrix, a two-dimensional assessment of mechanically recycled fibers to guide optimum processing and end-uses.

Mimaki advances DTF productivity and stability with new TxF330-800

Mimaki Europe, a leading manufacturer of industrial inkjet printers and cutting plotters, announces the TxF330-800, its new direct-to-film (DTF) printer. Designed to support stable, high-quality garment decoration in demanding print environments, the system combines automated maintenance, expanded white ink capacity and advanced production capabilities to streamline workflow.