Information on Dyneema® Composite Fabric, Dyneema® Composite Hybrid, and Dyneema® Woven Composite

What is Dyneema® Composite?

The manufacturer Avient uses the term Dyneema® Composite to refer to various product groups that are all constructed in the same way: tear-resistant Dyneema® fibers are sandwiched between two carriers. In the patented manufacturing process, the fine fibers are laid out in a crosswise and longitudinal direction (rather than woven) and bonded to the carrier materials. What makes this laminate such an outstanding material is the Dyneema® fiber used. The UHMW-PE fiber Dyneema® combines optimum high tear resistance and low weight and is not without reason considered "The world's strongest fiber™"! The fibers make the result significantly more tear-resistant than other fabrics of the same weight, low-stretch (even when wet), kink-resistant, UV-strong, and chemical-resistant.

During production, Dyneema® composites with a wide range of properties can be manufactured for many applications. Depending on the design, the carrier materials used, and the amount of Dyneema® fibers processed, they are divided into the product ranges (form factors) Dyneema® Composite Fabric, Dyneema® Composite Hybrid, Dyneema® Woven Composite, and Dyneema® Breathable Composite, as well as many product grades. You can find more information below.

Would you like to learn more about the history and properties of Dyneema® fiber? Then you can find more information about Dyneema® here.

The history of Dyneema® Composites

The history of Dyneema® Composites began in the 1990s when a nuclear physicist and an aeronautical engineer developed a new sail laminate: America3. The sail laminate was used in high-end sailing yachts, including one that won the America's Cup offshore yacht race. For the commercial market, the laminate was manufactured using conventional synthetic fibers, but production was discontinued in 1996. What remained was the patented manufacturing process, which is still in use today.

In 1997, Cubic Tech Corp. was launched, this time with a truly high-tech fiber: Dyneema®. Higher-quality, newly developed films were also used for the carrier materials. With this new sail material, the America's Cup was won again. The name "Cuben Fiber," under which the laminates were later marketed, was invented by the press, which shortened "America Cube Fiber" to "Cuben Fiber."

In the following years, many different designs with different films and fibers were developed for sailing. In the early 2000s, the first UL-MYOG tests with Cuben Fiber were "documented" in forums: tarps, packs, hammocks, stuff sacks, ponchos, clothing, and even entire sleeping bags can be found in various forums. The properties were promising: ultralight, tear-resistant, waterproof. Around 2005, the first commercial products came onto the market (Zpacks, Mountain Laurel Design). In 2006, we received the first samples, and in 2007, Cuben Fiber became part of our product range, making us one of the first suppliers worldwide and the first outside the US to offer Cuben Fiber in small quantities.

One disadvantage of the original Cuben Fiber version, which had a thin Mylar or polyester film on both sides, was its low abrasion resistance. These films often did not withstand abrasion for long, especially on backpacks. In 2009, Cubic Tech therefore developed a Cuben Fiber version reinforced on one side with polyester fabric, the first "Cuben Fiber + Woven" or "Cuben Fiber Hybrids."

Other variants that were developed were coated with an aluminized film or laminated with a waterproof, breathable eVent membrane. In the outdoor sector, the classic version with films on both sides has become established for tents, tarps, and pack sacks, as has the Cuben Fiber + Woven version for ultralight backpacks.

In 2015, the Dutch company DSM, inventor and manufacturer of Dyneema® fibers, took over the production, brand, and patent of Cubic Tech in order to further develop the material. The sailing division was not taken over but continued to be run by North Sails. As part of this, the entire Cuben Fiber line was rebranded as "Dyneema® Composite Fabric." This made it clearer that the material was original Dyneema® and strengthened the brand. At the same time, new financial power was used to expand marketing, production, and quality management (with all material continuing to be manufactured at the company's location in Meza, Arizona) and to increase the focus on markets with greater potential. To ensure the supply of "Dyneema® Composite Fabric" for small customers as well, DSM established a network of official distributors, which has included extremtextil since 2015. Under DSM, the Dyneema® used in Dyneema® Composite Fabric was replaced by more sustainable Dyneema® made from bio-circular raw materials from the pulp industry (originally "Bio-based Dyneema®", now "Bio-Circular Dyneema®").

In 2022, another takeover took place: the entire "DSM Protective Materials" division was sold by DSM to Avient. This also transferred the rights to Dyneema® and Dyneema® Composite Fabric to Avient. In addition to expanding production capacities, Avient is also continuously developing Dyneema® Composite Fabric. To keep the product range clear, the names were revised in 2025. The entire line, which was previously grouped under Dyneema® Composite Fabric, is now grouped under Dyneema® Composites. The previous cryptic designations of the various Dyneema® Composite Fabric grades (CT2E.08 or CT5K.18/wov32c) have also been simplified for easier classification and customer communication. In the B2B sector, the original abbreviations are still in use.

The new Dyneema® Composites product ranges

Dyneema® Composite Fabric

The "classic" version with smooth, thin, transparent polyester films on both sides. Dyneema® fibers are sandwiched between these films. The result is tear-resistant, ultra-light, and waterproof. The properties are determined by the thickness of the films used and the amount of Dyneema® fibers laminated in. The original, rather cryptic designations (grade or SUK) such as CT2E.08 BL3 reveal the construction of the laminate:

• CT stands for the product line, in this case the "standard line"
• 2 or 5 for the amount of Dyneema® fibers used, with a higher number meaning more Dyneema® and therefore more tear resistance
• E.08 or K.18 for the films used, with a higher number meaning that a thicker film was used
• BL3 – the color code for the Dyneema® used.

As part of the rebranding, this designation has been simplified and the individual grades are now distinguished by adding the weight in OZ/sqd (ounces per square yard) to the product name.

The standard or natural color for Dyneema® Composite Fabric is produced using white Dyneema®, which makes the laminate appear white. Color variations are produced by using colored Dyneema® fibers. Since these never cover the entire surface of the laminates, the colors always appear significantly lighter and more pastel than expected. For example, black appears more gray, and red appears more pink.

Dyneema® Composite Fabric is suitable for all ultralight applications where the material is not exposed to heavy abrasion. Rough surfaces, sharp edges, or hard objects can easily damage the surface. Thanks to the tear-resistant Dyneema® fibers, the material retains its structure for a long time, but it is no longer waterproof.

The following Dyneema® Composite Fabric versions are available:

You can find further technical infos directly in our shop or in the Dyneema® Fabric Finder.

Dyneema® Composite Hybrid

To increase abrasion resistance and optimize Dyneema® Composites for use in Backpacks, an additional fabric is laminated onto one side of Dyneema® Composite Hybrids. The inner Dyneema® fibers ensure outstanding tear resistance here as well. The transparent, waterproof polyester film is on the inside. On this side, the laminate can be easily sealed, glued, or repaired with tape.

The following Dyneema® Composite Hybrid versions are available:

You can find more additional technical information at the article in our shop or at the Dyneema® Fabric Finder.

Dyneema® Woven Composite

In Dyneema® Woven Composite, the proportion of Dyneema® is significantly increased to improve abrasion resistance and tear strength. A 100% Dyneema® fabric is used as the outer material. Internal Dyneema® fibers further increase stability. On the inside is a smooth, waterproof polyester film that makes the laminate permanently waterproof and easy to glue, seal, or repair. The ideal material for backpacks, panniers, and duffel bags for ultra-long, ultra-hard, and ultra-light use. Dyneema® Woven Composite is not currently available through distributors, but we hope to be able to offer it in 2027.

The following Dyneema® Woven Composite versions are currently available: 

Dyneema® Woven Composite is still a  „Developmental fabric", so the properties may change:

You can find more additional technical information at the article in our shop or at the Dyneema® Fabric Finder.

Dyneema® Breathable Composite

Noch zu Cuben-Zeiten gab es einmal ein wasserdichtes, atmungsaktives Dyneema® Composite Fabric, dass wir auch kurzzeitig im Sortiment hatten. Mit sagenhaften 40g/qm und einer Atmungsaktivität von 50.000 g/m²-24h hat es alle anderen Stoffe für Regenbekleidung in den Schatten gestellt. Da es auf einer ePTFE-Membran beruhte, wurde es aus guten Gründen eingestellt. Die Produktreihe Dyneema® Breathable Composite könnte hier Hoffnung auf ein Comeback machen – leider aber ohne Erfüllung. Bei den Dyneema® Breathable Composite handelt es sich um ein Dyneema®-Geflecht mit einem Polyester-Nonwoven-Träger, dass für die Anwendung in Schuhen auf Leder laminiert wird. Und daher für den MYOG und DIY-Bereich nicht interessant ist. Aber wir geben die Hoffnung nicht auf, dass Avient weiter an einer wasserdichten, atmungsaktiven Dyneema® Composite Variante arbeitet.

Using Dyneema® as a brand

Are you a large or small brand planning to launch your Dyneema® products? Congratulations! But please note: To use Dyneema® in product names, you must have a signed and valid trademark license agreement with Avient. The agreement can only be made directly with Avient. We will be happy to put you in touch if required.

Our Dyneema® Composite products

Are you finally ready to get started with Dyneema® Composite and looking for the right material for your next project? As a distribution partner of Avient, we offer a wide range of Dyneema® Composite products. Or are you looking for other items made from or featuring Dyneema®? You can find a detailed overview on the Dyneema® Info page. Or you can use our material filter in the shop categories. There you can search specifically for Dyneema® as a manufacturer or as a material.

Dyneema® and Dyneema®, the world's strongest fiber™, are trademarks of Avient. Use of these trademarks is prohibited without express permission.