Honeywell High-Performance Fiber Helping To Secure Offshore Platforms For Brazil's Petrobras

Bullet-resistant Spectra® fiber incorporated into Cortland rope for new oil and gas project

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Oct 05, 2015, 09:57 ET

MORRIS PLAINS, N.J., Oct. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON) announced today that Spectra^® fiber will be used in ropes for new offshore oil and gas platforms for Petrobras, the largest oil and gas company in Latin America.

The high-performance fiber, also used extensively in body and vehicle armor, is being incorporated by Cortland, a leading engineered rope maker, into its BOB^® 12x12 Fiber Rope, which will be used for the new oil and gas project as part of Rolls-Royce's Fiber Rope Development System (FRDS). Spectra fiber is used in many varieties of industrial rope and cordage, and is, pound-for-pound, 15 times stronger than steel but light enough to float.

"Honeywell Spectra provides the strength and durability needed for demanding oil and gas platforms like this offshore installation," said Brent Gerdes, product marketing manager for Honeywell's Packaging and Composites business. "Cortland and Honeywell have a long partnership in producing superior synthetic fiber rope for deep-water applications and this latest offering brings best-in-class performance while reducing operating costs and maintenance in a demanding environment."

The BOB rope using Spectra was selected for use by Rolls-Royce on their next FRDS, making it the fourth system that uses Cortland's BOB rope and Honeywell Spectra fiber. The new Rolls-Royce FRDS will be used for a five-year contract with Petrobras and leverages the strength of Spectra fiber as part of a deep-water lifting and placement system that has a single fall capacity of 150 tons.

Spectra fiber is ideal for marine applications because it is highly waterproof, allowing the rope to be used in water without gaining weight from moisture absorption. Spectra also does not corrode or deteriorate in water.

"By using Spectra fiber in the blend of high-performance fibers used in Cortland's BOB rope, we are able to provide high quality products and more value to our customers," said Stuart Janke, vice president of global sales for Cortland's Rope and Assembly business. "With this win, we can continue to demonstrate the success of synthetic fiber ropes within the oil and gas industry."

Spectra fiber is highly resistant to chemicals and damaging ultraviolet light, and is made from ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (HMPE) using a patented gel-spinning process. Spectra's filaments are larger in diameter than competitive HMPE products providing superior abrasion resistance, reduced friction and improved processing during rope manufacturing.

Other industrial applications for Spectra fiber include fish and security netting, cut protection, and fishing line. The fiber is also commonly used in bullet-resistant armor. Honeywell maintains an active Spectra fiber and ballistic materials research program focused on continuous improvement and development of high-performance materials.

In addition to its high-performance fiber for rope and cordage in the oil and gas industry, Honeywell provides a variety of services and products for deep-water projects through Honeywell UOP and Honeywell Process Solutions.

Honeywell UOP, a process technology provider to the global refining, petrochemical and gas processing industries has supplied Petrobras and its subsidiary PNBV with technologies to process natural gas aboard several Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels in Brazil. Honeywell UOP has also licensed technologies to Petrobras to produce high-quality diesel at two refineries in Brazil.

Honeywell Process Solutions provides integrated automation controls and safety systems to offshore producers for floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels, deep-water platforms, floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) vessels, and subsea to topsides. These marine type approved integrated systems help safeguard assets and people, and regulatory compliance, while reducing topsides footprint and personnel.

For more information about Spectra fiber for rope and cordage, visit www.honeywell-spectra.com. For more information about UOP, visit www.uop.com. For more information about Process Solutions, visit www.honeywellprocess.com.

Honeywell Performance Materials and Technologies (PMT) is a global leader in developing advanced materials, process technologies and automation solutions. PMT's Advanced Materials businesses manufacture a wide variety of high-performance products, including environmentally friendlier refrigerants and materials used to manufacture end products such as bullet-resistant armor, nylon, computer chips and pharmaceutical packaging. Process technologies developed by PMT's UOP business (www.uop.com) form the foundation for most of the world's refiners, efficiently producing gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, petrochemicals and renewable fuels. PMT's Process Solutions business (www.honeywellprocess.com) is a pioneer in automation control, instrumentation and services for the oil and gas, refining, pulp and paper, industrial power generation, chemicals and petrochemicals, biofuels, life sciences, and metals, minerals and mining industries.

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes, and industry; turbochargers; and performance materials. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com.

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