Honeywell Introduces New Super-Strength Fishing-Line Material

Shimano's PowerPro® brand is first to use Spectra® HT fiber in new Maxcuatro™ product

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Feb 19, 2015, 10:15 ET

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, N.J., Feb. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON) announced today the launch of Spectra^® HT high tenacity fiber, the newest generation of high-strength Spectra fiber and the world's strongest fishing-line material of its size.

Honeywell also announced that Shimano, makers of the popular PowerPro^® brand of fishing-line products, will be the first fishing-line manufacturer to use Spectra HT in its new product, PowerPro Maxcuatro™. PowerPro Maxcuatro with Spectra HT will be introduced at the Bassmaster Classic, which is widely known as "the Super Bowl of bass fishing," on February 20.

Increasingly, anglers are seeking specific fishing lines and other equipment to help ensure success in certain environments. The market for braided super-lines, like those made with Spectra fiber, continues to outpace the overall fishing-line market, growing 4 to 5 percent over the last five years compared to an overall market growth of 2 to 3 percent. Avid and competitive anglers continue to trade up for braided lines with higher performance and value for use in both freshwater and saltwater environments.

Braided fishing lines made with Spectra HT offer anglers an additional competitive edge. Spectra HT is 25 percent stronger than equivalent-size competitive materials, enabling up to 30 percent thinner braided fishing lines so anglers can cast more easily, get more line onto their reel or use a lighter reel without sacrificing line strength or length. Fishing lines made with Spectra HT are also abrasion-resistant and less visible under water, so anglers can catch more fish.

"With the introduction of Spectra HT, Honeywell has set a new standard for strength in braided super-line material," said Mark Saholsky, global business manager for Honeywell's Advanced Fibers and Composites business. "Made from the same material that stops bullets and protects police officers and military personnel, Spectra HT provides higher strength than competitive fibers, enabling fishing-line manufacturers to develop new, thinner fishing-line products that provide features anglers want – additional reel capacity, improved casting and lower underwater visibility."

"Honeywell's new Spectra HT technology allowed Shimano to develop an entirely new type of product," said Konrad Krauland, division president of Innovative Textiles, Inc., a division of Shimano. "PowerPro Maxcuatro uses Spectra HT to enable a fishing line that is 25 percent thinner than our existing products with equivalent strength. Anglers can downsize their tackle and maximize their fishing performance with our thinnest, strongest line to date."

Spectra HT is more than 80 percent stronger than nylon or fluorocarbon-based fishing line materials, and 25 percent stronger than competitive fibers, including traditional grades of Spectra fiber used in braided fishing line. The strength of Spectra HT comes from the same technology used to develop the most recent innovations in ballistic armor made to protect military personnel and police officers globally.

Honeywell's Spectra fiber technology continues to support a $500 million recreational sport-fishing line market in the U.S. and a $1.5 billion market globally. For more than 20 years, anglers around the world have relied on Spectra fiber in premium braided fishing line to enable their lines to be four times stronger than nylon fishing line of a similar diameter.

Pound-for-pound, Spectra fiber is 15 times stronger than steel but is light enough to float, which helps fishing line manufacturers develop stronger, more durable and more sensitive braided fishing lines so anglers can cast more easily and hold onto prize catches. Spectra fiber is highly resistant to chemicals and damaging ultraviolet light, and is made from ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene using a patented gel-spinning process.

Honeywell's Spectra brand licensing program helps anglers ensure they are purchasing fishing line containing genuine Spectra fiber. Under the program, fishing line brands can recognize Spectra fiber as the best and most trusted material for their products and license the Spectra trademark. In turn, they will guarantee that 100 percent of the high-molecular-weight polyethylene (HMPE) fiber used in their braided fishing line is genuine Spectra fiber, and undergo periodic quality control tests by Honeywell to ensure the use of genuine Spectra fiber. A "Spectra by Honeywell" logo at the top left-hand corner of a fishing line package indicates a fishing line brand's inclusion in the program.

Spectra fiber is made from ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene using a patented gel-spinning process. Industrial applications for Spectra fiber include security netting, rope, cordage, and fishing line, as well as curtains designed to protect windows and doors during hurricanes. 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.

For more information about Spectra fiber for fishing line, visit www.spectrafishing.com. For information on the Spectra licensing program, visit www.honeywell-spectra.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.

SOURCE Honeywell