Diamond Background

At Dyneema®, we protect those who protect us, thanks to the unrivaled lightweight strength of our fiber and our world-leading anti-ballistic unidirectional (UD) solutions. But our commitment to high-performance personal protection doesn’t end there.

Dyneema® UD is manufactured with absolutely no intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – so you know you’re getting ultimate protection, inside and out.

The rise and fall of PFAS – known as 'forever chemicals'

PFAS have been used since the 1940s in all kinds of consumer and industry products, mainly owing to their repellency properties. But these synthetic chemicals are increasingly under scrutiny from scientists, legislators, the media, and even the general public.

That’s because PFAS break down very slowly – which is why they’re often referred to as “forever chemicals.” It's no wonder that authorities are acting to stop the use of PFAS and prevent further pollution of these forever chemicals in the environments where we live and work – including the defense sector.

Diamond Background

Targeting PFAS-free personal protection

At the North Carolina FEDTEX 2024 Conference, the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Soldier Center warned that solutions containing PFAS are becoming less readily available because of regulatory and supply chain uncertainty. The DEVCOM Soldier Center stressed the urgent need for the personal protection industry to transition to non-PFAS alternatives to effectively address these issues.

As a direct consequence, in the USA and beyond, military and law enforcement agencies – as well as first-responder services – are increasingly seeking out equipment that doesn’t contain PFAS. But that’s easier said than done. Manufacturers of para-aramid solutions need to apply surface treatments, which typically is PFAS-based, to repel liquids, such as water and oils, because moisture and oil can negatively affect the ballistic performance of para-aramid fibers.

That brings us to the billion-dollar question for military and law enforcement agencies: does high-performance ballistic protection without PFAS exist?

With Dyneema®, the answer is yes.

Protecting people and planet, today and tomorrow

Dyneema® polymer, fiber, UD material, and UD film are manufactured without intentionally added PFAS. And since we’re the only backward-integrated manufacturer of HMPE fiber, we control the entire process from end to end – meaning we can make that a guarantee.

How? It’s all thanks to the unique properties of the world’ strongest fiber™. Unlike para-aramid alternatives, our solutions don’t absorb moisture, don’t sacrifice any of their ballistic performance in wet conditions, and therefore don’t need a PFAS-based coating.

That’s yet another reason why our UD is ideal for all kinds of armor applications, from soft body armor to ballistic helmets, shields, and vehicle plates. And why the world’s elite forces can trust Dyneema® to help the transition away from PFAS in the products our courageous personnel rely on – over years of service, and in any conditions.

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