Seile

We seek out challenges

Success doesn’t just happen. Gleistein Ropes is in demand as a partner in innovation and outfitting for all rope applications. From consulting, through product development, up to delivery right on schedule.

Some examples:

UPDRAFT: A fresh new wind for the regenerative energy industry 

Letting go of old habits is quite a task in many industries. But not so in the young, high-tech wind energy branch in which UPDRAFT is situated: The subsidiary of Gleistein Ropes develops and manufactures vastly superior alternatives to conventional wire-based lifting technologies. These solutions are vital in a field where wind power stations are increasing in size and net tonnages are rising.

Lifting slings from the UPDRAFT LS series are deployed during the installation of wind power stations. The slings are made using heat-set Dyneema® ropes, enabling easy handling while boasting extreme brute strength: UPDRAFT LS 100T, the largest sling in the Standard series, tips the strength scales at a safe working load of 100 tonnes with a seven-fold safety margin, yet can still be manoeuvred by a single person. For the construction of offshore wind parks, Gleistein offers a further, truly beefy, special model with an official working load of 400 tonnes and total breaking load a gargantuan 2,800 tonnes! Such tough lifting slings are becoming necessary for use during construction when prefabricated systems or their foundations need to be heaved into place. Germanischer Lloyd (GL) also sees it as a safe bet and has certified all UPDRAFT lifting slings as LA3-compliant.

Simplifying maintenance procedures in erected units and ensuring the fast and secure transportation of spare parts and tools, hoisting systems such as the UPDRAFT U800•20 are being built directly in the wind turbine’s nacelle. At the heart of the high-precision UPDRAFT hoisting system is the MegaTwin U800, which is also made by Gleistein Ropes. Besides the rope’s inherent mechanical advantages, it also boasts a virtually unlimited life.

Gleistein provides industry-leading know-how and produces the synthetic fibre ropes used in all of the innovative UPDRAFT products. More information is available at www.updraft.eu.

Oasis of the Seas – the world's largest passenger ship: equipped by Gleistein Ropes 

Autumn 2009 saw the maiden commercial voyage of the largest and most expensive cruise vessel of all time: The Oasis of the Seas is 360m long and offers room for 5,400 passengers.

100,000 kW of power generated by eight giant V12 diesel motors are necessary to bring this swimming city into motion. Yet just 24 DynaOne mooring lines with a diameter of merely 46mm each suffice to keep this colossus securely under control in the harbour under all types of weather conditions. Each mooring line has a break load exceeding 150,000 daN!

Nowadays, the high-tech Dyneema fibre is being increasingly used in mooring lines for commercial shipping. Its lower weight and better handling make lines made of this fibre a more economical alternative than traditional solutions. Gleistein Ropes provides the know-how, manufactures the line and also ensures that its full potential is realised through the implementation of sophisticated end-terminations for the toughest applications.  

The Oasis of the Seas could, however, not hold its claim as the world’s largest cruise liner for long: the end of 2010 already saw its sister ship – the Allure of the Seas – hit the oceans to match the record. And you guessed it: Gleistein Ropes equipped her too!

Download more information about Gleistein, Dyneema, Oasis and Allure of the Seas (PDF, 852KB).

Successful debut for Puma at the Volvo Ocean Race – with Gleistein Ropes

So much for cats being afraid of water: On its first attempt, newcomer team Puma Ocean Racing was runner-up at the Volvo Ocean Race 2008/2009. A victory of sheer determination, exceptional teamwork and superior materials!

Around 15,000 metres of high-performance rigging was on board. While even small weight-savings can easily provide a decisive advantage over the course of ten thousands of miles at sea - a single broken rope due to a defective product or undersizing can ruin everything in an instant. It quite literally must always be  “The Perfect Line”!

Precise calculations, strictly-kept specifications, the assurance of complete breaking loads at every end termination and not a single broken rope: Gleistein Ropes is the Official Rope Supplier to the Puma Ocean Racing team, delivering industry-leading expertise and cutting-edge products. These not only include custom-designed varieties such as extremely heat-resistant PBO and Tec50 cover braids but also many exceptional stock products from our GeoYacht Racing range, for instance  GeoYacht Racing, DynaOne, DynaOne HS, RunnerTwin, MegaTwin Dyneema HS, MegaTwin Zylon.

SkySails: Giants flying high 

While the days commercial sailing boats ruled the high seas are long gone, the motor that powered these vessels still prevails to this day: wind! With ever-increasing energy costs and a higher environmental awareness, harnessing this free resource once more is an extremely attractive prospect – and SkySails makes it possible. Soaring at an altitude of approx. 300m, where winds are stronger and more consistent, the giant towing kite can reduce fuel costs by up to 50% or significantly increase the speed of the vessel. Besides the start and recovery system at the bow, the SkySails innovation consumes no space on deck and can be implemented with virtually every ship type.

Gleistein Ropes has been accompanying SkySails as technology partner from the very beginning. Taking on a key function within the SkySails System, the Dyneema Towing Rope with centre cable was specially developed in-house by Gleistein: The acquired energy is continuously transferred through the low-weight rope to the ship. Previously, the transfer of 160 kN of energy could already be achieved – but this figure has now doubled with the commencement of the next development phase!

SkySails on YouTube: How the system works in practice.

Creme de la creme: World’s largest super yachts sail with Gleistein Ropes 

Unique constructions, finest materials and meticulous craftsmanship: only the best is good enough for fitting out the world’s most exquisite private yachts – and ropes are no exception! 

Gleistein Ropes is partner to some of the most renowned luxury yacht builders in the world, including PERINI Navy, Lürssen, A & R and Royal Huisman. We supply complete kit-out concepts and have professionally fitted out the rigging of many large yachts, such as SY EOS, SY ATHENA, SY MIRABELLA V, SY KOKOMO 1, 2 und 3, SY ATHOS, SY EENDRACHT, SY PASA, MY PELORUS, MY OCTOPUS, SY VALQUEST, SY REBECCA and MY RISING SUN to name but a few. 

From the first consultation to the finishing touch, everything is perfectly attuned to the finest detail. Premier quality halyards, sheets and mooring lines customised to every specific need including colour and the final overall appearance. One thing is certain: those appreciating exclusivity and highest performance can't pass Gleistein Ropes by.  

Around at every expedition: Arved Fuchs swears by “Thempest” from Gleistein 

In 1988, Arved Fuchs acquired the historic shark cutter Dagmar Aaen and fitted it out for deployment on the high seas and particularly demanding polar waters. Fuchs and his trusty vessel now have considerably more than 200,000 nautical miles together under their belts that have been amassed on expeditions including the Northeast Passage, the Northwest Passage, the South Polar Ocean – the list goes on and on and on ... 

Fuchs takes things to the limit – seeking out spirited adventure and intimate contact with nature along the way. He defies storms and seas as well as heat and cold. And as his exclusive rope outfitter, Gleistein Ropes is always at his side! In such harsh conditions the material must really show what it is made of - and still look the part in a traditional get up. The Classics is our range for historical ships.

Among the rigging on board: the tried-and-tested hemp-coloured Hempex and also our top product Thempest – a twisted rope with a specially developed mix of fibres that is available in two exclusive natural colours. Thempest is not only convincing in terms impressive break loads, it also retains its flexibility at temperatures as low as -50°C and is extremely resistant to ageing. Gleistein wishes Arved Fuchs a "bon voyage" for his next breathtaking expedition! 

Growing with the demands: rope from Gleistein up to 300mm in diameter 

Gleistein has been producing thick ropes for generations. In years gone by, huge dimensions were necessary to realise high break loads. With the advent of synthetic fibres and new braiding techniques, ropes became thinner: the break strength of a 200mm thick, laid natural fibre rope can nowadays already be achieved with a 50mm diameter heat-set Dyneema plait.  

Naturally, thicker versions of such high-tech ropes can be produced - thereby attaining completely new levels of performance potential. And in terms of handling, performance capabilities and economic viability, it is almost always far superior to its heavy, conventional cousin - the steel cable. Here are just a few examples:  

  • Moorings for capstan winches 
  • High-performance towing systems with DynaOne HS 
  • Hoists for shipping and industry with gargantuan break loads of up to more than 500,000 daN!
  • All types of end elements and heavy-duty fittings can be incorporated by Gleistein

There is one catch, however: Hardly a manufacturer can offer such advanced solutions. But Gleistein can! Constructions in these dimensions go beyond producing mere enlargements at scale. They require in-depth expertise, extreme developmental competence as well as the latest manufacturing machinery matched with individual hand-finishing capabilities to achieve the perfect, customised results Gleistein is renowned for. 

Up-and-coming yachtsmen strutting their stuff with Gleistein Ropes 

Since 1824 have we been driven by out proximity to the water, to our understanding of shipping, as well as our passion for sailing. Gleistein Ropes is actively involved at large regattas, supports individual sporting endeavours and assists those coming up through the ranks. We also often face our competitors and their top products in a sporting context at races. The result? Well, to be honest, you win some and you lose some – but it's always a lot of fun and provides us with valuable practical insights about how we can continually develop even better products. 

Among those that are successful with Gleistein Ropes are :

  • 49er: Alonso Brother ESP 8923  www.alonso49er.com
  • 49er: Schadewaldt/Baumann  www.schadewaldt-baumann.de
  • J24: Pagel/Mählmann (GER4230), win at the European Championships 2008!
  • Jugendseglerprojekt Utsider (GER 5545 ) 2009  http://www.utsider.de
  • Walross IV as ambassador for Berlin athe Olympic games in China 2008. Motto: “be walross, be sailor, be berlin”  http://www.walross.org
  • Starboot: Miller + Voigt, runner-up at European Championships 2008!  
  • 470er incl. Grüning/Goltz


We’ll keep our fingers crossed for more success and thank you for your efforts!

Gleistein’s tree climbing ropes take Thoren Benk to the top 

Fitness and dexterity are two vital prerequisites for those in the business of climbing trees. After all, who wants to be exhausted and “on the ropes” in the lofty heights of a tree? Yet when it comes to tree climbing, ropes play a pivotal role. 

Thoren Benk is no stranger to the winner’s podium when it comes to leading tree climbing competitions. The German champion of 2006 and 2008, title-holder of the 2008 Dutch Championships and winner of the Belgian Championship in 2009 invariably carries his equipment with him so that he can reach the treetops wherever he is. Here the right selection of ropes is critical: handling, weight, robustness and stretch characteristics must be perfect. Ultimately his life is quite literally hanging on those ropes! Gleistein Ropes supports this shining star in the European tree climbing community with first-class wares from the GeoArbor range. On his part, Benk regularly provides a feedback from the treetops to give first-hand accounts of how the ropes hold up in practice. And this, of course, loops back into product development to ensure continual improvement.