In collaboration with DSM Dyneema, Norway-based Load Solutions AS, a provider of lashing and loading systems for the transport industry, will officially launch its innovative lightweight synthetic TYCAN chain at the upcoming trade show BreakBulk Europe 2015, which takes place from 18-21 May in Antwerp, Belgium.

TYCAN chain is a non-metallic link chain made with DSM Dyneema’s technology. It has been developed to replace the steel chains that are traditionally used to lash and secure project cargo during transportation. Each of the chain links are made from an eight layer narrow fabric woven from Dyneema ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene yarns.

Dyneema is a patent-protected ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibre made by DSM Dyneema. Dyneema is 15 times stronger than steel on a weight-to-weight basis and up to 40% stronger than aramid materials, according to the manufacturer.

Applications

Available on the market since January of this year, the new chain has been hailed for its performance by users across a wide range of industries, from shipping, mining and oil and gas to commercial fishing, according to the company.

Already, Load Solutions is seeing very sizable new orders and reorders from initial customers. Commercial field trials are ongoing globally in various industrial branches to further expand the commercial market opportunities for TYCAN.

“The global market is excited about this new product and welcomes TYCAN,” said Daniel Taylor, Global Marketing Manager of DSM Dyneema. “The overwhelming interest, commercial trials and repetitive commercial orders from leading European and American companies in industries including: heavy haulage, oil and gas and fishery are proof of TYCAN’s amazing end user benefits.”

New synthetic link chains

Marco Global, a leading American brand for fishery equipment, has recently put TYCAN chain through its paces and was extremely impressed by the new chain’s performance.

“Inspired by previous announced successful field trials of Mammoet and by Nor Lines Shipping in Europe, we developed the world's first use of TYCAN on commercial fishing boats as a lash and pull link chain,” explained David O'Neill, Business Development Manager of Marco Global.

“Our best customers, active in the sustainable fishing industry in the coastal waters of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California and in Mexico, enthusiastically tested TYCAN with highly satisfying results. These new synthetic link chains, which are lashed and pulled under any and all weather conditions, up to twenty four times a day by the fishermen, are incredibly light, safe and easy to use.”

Cost effective and quiet

TYCAN chain weighs up to 8 times less than its conventional metal counterparts and is more than fifty times less noisy in use, the company reports. The chain has been shown to provide impressive productivity gains and savings in cost throughout the entire transport process. On trucks, outsize cargo, such as electricity pylons or windmill turbine blades can weigh almost as much as the vehicle’s maximum payload capacity. Using TYCAN chain is said to significantly reduce dead weight, which means trucks can safely carry more cargo while remaining within the insurable limits.

“For multi-unit logistics companies, every bit of cargo means euros. We have developed a weight –saving calculator, available on our website that allows customers to calculate exactly how much weight they can save by using TYCAN chain,” commented Alex Rock, Manager Marketing and Sales of Load Solutions.

“And, unlike steel chains, which are phenomenally noisy when dropped and can cause damage when dragged across decks, TYCAN chain is far quieter in use, enabling better communication and promoting safer and more user-friendly working conditions.”

www.dyneema.com