Dyneema® SK78 fiber: bringing the world’s biggest offshore projects to life

Today’s heavy lifting industry is facing up to some weighty challenges – and not just because components for offshore installations are growing ever larger. From increasing cost pressures and operational demands to new regulations, supply chain issues, and workforce challenges, heavy rigging owners and operators have plenty to contend with.

But there’s good news: engineered lifting slings made with Dyneema® SK78 fiber can help shoulder the burden.

Dyneema® enables STRENGTHplus+

Engineered lifting slings made with Dyneema® are proven to be safe and strong – but there’s much more to it than that. Dyneema® SK78 fiber is carefully engineered to provide highest reliability amongst all HMPE fibers

3x

the fatigue lifetime*

4x

longer rope abrasion and creep lifetime*

70°C

highest strength retention at 70°C*

* Compared to generic HMPE

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The most reliable and safest support for heavy lifting slings

When choosing rigging solutions for complex, large-scale projects, safety is paramount – because keeping crew, equipment, and payloads free from harm is always the top priority. But we firmly believe that this shouldn’t mean having to sacrifice productivity, sustainability, or anything else you rely on from your lifting and rigging slings.

With Dyneema®, you don’t have to compromise. Lifting slings made with Dyneema® SK78 fiber provide all the support your projects, business, and crews need.

For greater peace of mind

  • Engineers available to support you

  • Reduced chance of failure

  • Superior service life

  • Reliability from day one

  • Predictable longevity

  • Performance-driven retirement criteria

Increase efficiency with high-performance lifting slings

More and more offshore operators are making Dyneema® fiber, our ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), their clear first choice for engineered lifting slings. And why wouldn’t they? Rigging made with Dyneema® SK78 fiber overcomes the limitations of steel wire ropes, steel chains, and generic synthetic slings – for more efficient lifting, in more ways than one.

It all stems from Dyneema®’s exceptionally high strength-to-weight ratio. Slings made from our fiber provide the same minimum breaking strength as steel ropes and generic HMPE ropes at just a fraction of the weight. In fact, Dyneema®’s density is around eight times lower than steel and 1.4 times lower than other commonly used synthetics.

For improved efficiency versus steel and generic HMPE

  • Faster working with no damage to protective coatings

  • Lighter, smoother ergonomics for significant time savings

  • Maximized crane lifting capacity

  • Better UV resistance than other synthetics

  • Easier and faster hook positioning

  • Fewer slings need to be purchased

  • Excellent load control, endurance, and chemical resistance

  • Longer lifetime enables less frequent replacement

Sustainable lifting slings with no sacrifice

Choosing lifting slings made with Dyneema® fiber means supporting the planet without sacrificing performance – because Dyneema® delivers the lowest carbon footprint per unit strength of all high-performance fibers.

It starts upstream: Dyneema® SK78 fiber is manufactured using 100% renewable electricity. Downstream, lightweight Dyneema®-based slings for engineered lifting projects enable less energy use in transport and operations. What’s more, their longer service life means greater resource efficiency.

Better yet, opting for bio-based Dyneema® fiber means you can benefit from the same proven, trusted performance as conventional Dyneema®, but with a carbon footprint 90% lower than generic HMPE. Certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC), our bio-based alternative is a simple and reliable way to make your offshore operations even greener.

For a big impact with a small footprint

  • Reliably longer service life enables less resource consumption

  • Low weight means less energy use

  • Bio-based Dyneema® available

Want the same high performance with a lower carbon footprint?

Discover bio-based Dyneema® fiber
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Putting performance to the test

For more than 10 years, we’ve been proving the all-round power of Dyneema® fiber in offshore applications to become market leaders in the field.

Unlike other manufacturers, we rigorously test the minimum breaking strength not only of our fibers, but also in rope and sling constructions.

But there is more to it. Rope strength at moment of purchase is only one datapoint. What matters more is strength over time, as this relates to the reliability of your lifting operation.

Dyneema® SK78 fiber is precision engineered to stand up to fatigue, abrasion, creep, and temperature extremes. And with no standard tests for measuring abrasion and fatigue in lifting slings, we have built our own – simulating real-world conditions and evaluating product performance. We’ve designed and constructed a suite of state-of-the-art testing equipment to enable us to create models to accurately predict lifetime performance:

Rope Tension Fatigue Model

Built on 1000’s of tests at fiber and rope/sling level. The only way to accurately predict performance.

Abrasion / Cut Test

Here we evaluate external abrasion at actual conditions – ideal for measuring the impact of sharp angles, sheaves, and metal surfaces when lifting.

Creep Performance Tool

Our modeling predicts creep rate and elongations as well as estimating creep lifetime.

Temperature Model

Accurately predicting rope core temperatures means Dyneema® SK78 fiber can be used safely at higher operating temperatures.

Slings made with Dyneema® provide the strength, control, and reliability we needed when lifting and positioning transition pieces onto monopiles at the Yunlin Offshore Wind Farm. Moreover, they’re easy to handle and maintenance free.

Jochem Tacx, Project Manager, Jumbo Maritime

Dyneema® is the best choice because of its durability and reliability. For a demanding lifting operation, I wouldn’t recommend using anything other than Dyneema® SK78 fiber.

Patrick van der Veen, Operations Manager, Lift-Tex Industrie B.V.

In the case of our numerous jacket relocations, the weight reduction of the Dyneema®-based slings meant that we saved at least 45 minutes on each lifting operation. Since each one involved our 1,000-tonne gantry crane, a 103-meter lift, and a crew of five to seven people, the cost saving was also substantial.

Peter Blazejewicz, Manager Lift & Transport Engineering, LPO


Preferred. Trusted. Certified.

Dyneema® SK78 fiber is renowned the world over for its outstanding quality, consistency, and performance – as recognized by our array of third-party certifications covering the full production process.

Is verification the same as certification?

The simple answer is “no.” Verification statements confirm the initial holding capacity of a sling, but don’t give information on its suitability for the intended lifting operation. Certification, on the other hand, confirms not only the sling’s initial holding capacity but also its lifetime holding capacity – determining the sling’s useful service life in its planned operation.

In short, if you want fit-for-purpose, durable, and sustainable heavy lifting slings, certificates are the documents for you.

Want to know more? Contact us for advice
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Contact our sales team

For optimal offshore operations, get in touch with our specialists – they’re always happy to share their expertise on Dyneema® SK78 fiber and all the benefits it brings to engineered lifting slings.

Contact us
  • Support in engineering decisions to make your offshore projects more efficient
  • Techniques and technologies that meet your specific requirements
  • Cost-reduction assessments and strategies
  • Solutions to reduce future maintenance and replacement costs
  • Certification support


Engineered lifting sling suppliers and partners

Our premium engineered lifting sling partners are dedicated to manufacturing durable, sustainable, fit-for-purpose solutions with Dyneema® SK78 fiber – perfect for easing the burden of heavy lifting challenges. Looking for extra peace of mind? Our partners are happy to offer the service and maintenance packages you need to keep your operations running smoothly and safely, day in, day out.

Where to buy

Engineered lifting slings made with Dyneema® fiber are available from our trusted sellers across the globe.

Find a provider

Design with Dyneema®

Want to take your lifting and rigging design to new heights? You need Dyneema®’s trusted support for heavy lifting project designers. Our experts and technical centers are standing by around the globe, ready to help you tackle any offshore or onshore challenge.

Design with Dyneema®

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