Developer and manufacturer of Dyneema fibre DSM has filed a patent-infringement lawsuit against Hangzhou Pivot International Co. Ltd., of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, before the Court of Paris, France.

Prior to the filing, DSM Dyneema obtained authorisation to seize merchandise, including fibre, rope and finished articles, exhibited by Hangzhou Pivot at the Milipol 2005 exhibition in Paris.

The lawsuit asks the court to establish and confirm its findings that this merchandise infringes on DSM Dyneema patents, and to forbid the sale or offering of these polyethylene-based, high-performance fibres by Hangzhou Pivot. DSM Dyneema is also seeking recall of the infringing products sold, as well as damages and other corrective measures.

Dyneema is a superstrong polyethylene fibre that offers maximum strength combined with minimum weight. It is up to 15 times stronger than quality steel and up to 40% stronger than aramid fibres, both on weight per weight basis. It also floats on water and is durable and resistant to moisture, UV light and chemicals.