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21 Feb 2007  -  Netherlands / Japan

Teijin sponsor and help found new extension of Amsterdam museum

With a substantial donation, Teijin Ltd  has become the first international sponsor of the new extension to Amsterdam’s Stedelijk (municipal) Museum. 

The span and façade of the futuristic new extension to the existing 19th century building will employ ultra-strong Twaron para-aramid, produced by Teijin Twaron, Teijin’s subsidiary in the Netherlands and carbon fibre from Toho Tenax, Teijin’s subsidiary in Germany.

The design of the new extension of The Stedelijk Museum is based on a sandwich construction with 8 layers of Twaron/Carbon hybrid fibres (350gram/m2). The architect chose this material due to the fact that it is extremely strong, doesn’t expand in cases of fluctuating temperatures, and forms one seamless surface.

The total surface for which the combination of Twaron and carbon are being used is about 3000 square metres, which means that for the 8 layers, about 24000 square metres of the Twaron/Carbon fiber material is needed. The building is 100 metres wide, and 12 metres high. The façade of the building needs to be constructed in a way that there will be one seamless surface. This is ensured by the use of Twaron, a para-aramid fibre.

Commenting on his company’s involvement, Teijin Limited’s President and CEO Mr. Toru Nagashima said: “We are delighted to take part in this effort, as we have always aspired to contribute to the Netherlands, the home of our core business, Teijin Twaron. Donating a structure made of Teijin’s leading-edge materials to the Stedelijk Museum is a wonderful marriage of Dutch culture and Teijin technology. It also reflects our Teijin philosophy to contribute with the development of chemical technologies that are friendly to both people and the environment”

Gijs van Tuyl, Director of the Stedelijk Museum, said: “This is very good news for the museum. We can now go ahead with the start of the new extension. Most importantly, the extension highlights the immense trust in the international position and attraction of the Stedelijk Museum, and is made only stronger thanks to the sponsorship of Teijin Ltd.”

The Stedelijk Museum’s extension, due for completion at the end of 2009, is designed by Amsterdam-based architects office Benthem Crouwel.

Source : Teijin Twaron