Honeywell Introduces New Ultra-Thin Fiber for High-Performance Fishing Line

Thinnest Spectra® fiber available helps enable smoother casts and better catch detection

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May 03, 2011, 10:00 ET

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, N.J., May 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON) announced today that it has introduced a new ultra-thin Spectra® fiber for high-performance fishing line, offering all the high strength and stretch resistance of Spectra fiber in a slimmer profile that enables smoother casting and better line sensitivity to fish bites.

The new product, which is 25 percent thinner than previous Spectra fibers, will allow manufacturers to develop new, high-performance fishing lines that offer serious anglers more capability than lines made with today's thicker fibers. The thinner fiber will allow fishing line manufacturers to braid more fibers into a single round line, resulting in a product that glides more quietly and easily during casts, and helps anglers improve their ability to detect fish on the line.

"Spectra fiber has been a trusted name in fishing line for decades, and this thinner fiber will help our customers meet demand for fishing line that offers the strength of thicker lines with the improved casting and sensitivity of thinner lines," said Chris Miller, marketing manager for Honeywell's Advanced Fibers and Composites business. "Fishing lines made with thinner fiber can help anglers cast and catch fish with greater ease."

Fishing line containing Spectra is four times stronger than nylon fishing line of a similar diameter, and is highly resistant to chemicals and UV light. All Spectra products exhibit outstanding abrasion resistance, which helps fishing lines last longer.

Spectra fiber, which is pound-for-pound 15 times stronger than steel, is made from ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene using a patented gel-spinning process. The fiber is used in many industrial and recreational applications, including rope and lifting slings, mooring lines, hurricane-resistant panels for windows and doors, sail cloth, and security netting.

The fiber is also the foundation of the Spectra Shield® II line of ballistic materials, used in bullet-resistant armor for military and police personnel. Spectra Shield II products are used in some of the world's most advanced armor systems, ranging from bullet-resistant vests, breast plates, and helmets to combat vehicles and military aircraft.

Honeywell maintains an active Spectra fiber and ballistic material research and development program focused on meeting increased demand for its high-performance materials.

For more information, visit www.honeywell.com/spectra.

Honeywell Specialty Materials is a global leader in providing customers with high-performance specialty materials, including fluorine products; specialty films and additives; advanced fibers and composites; intermediates; specialty chemicals; electronic materials and chemicals; and technologies and materials for petroleum refining.

Honeywell International (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; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell's shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com.

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SOURCE Honeywell