From rope to total solution: Lankhorst & Ridderflex strengthen the Dutch innovation ecosystem

Lankhorst and Ridderflex, a leading producer of rubber, plastic and polyurethane custom-made products, have been working closely together for years on high-quality solutions for the maritime, offshore, and infrastructure sectors. What began with optimizing a rope application for the Dutch government as grown into a strategic partnership focused on knowledge sharing and results.

 By openly and trustingly exploring each other's processes and focusing on shared impact rather than individual orders, both Dutch companies demonstrate the power of collaboration within their own industries.

"The strength of this partnership lies in directly combining the practical challenges encountered by the maritime industry with Ridderflex's broad materials expertise. We don't develop reactively, but move forward, together, transparently, and with one goal: the best solution for the market." — Pedro de Jager, Lankhorst (WireCo Group)

Lankotube – dynamic mooring rope protection

The new Lankhorst Lankotube for port applications demonstrates how the combined expertise of both companies leads to solutions that set a new standard in application performance. Lankotube is a custom-made mooring protector (special PU-HMPE tube design) offering high abrasion resistance for fibre rope mooring lines used in extreme dynamic conditions. 

PolyBlock HF – high-friction innovation from the Netherlands

The latest step in the collaboration is the launch of PolyBlock HF, a new Ridderflex compound developed for high-friction applications. This innovation addresses a clear need: controlled friction where performance and safety are crucial.

“By giving each other a glimpse behind the scenes and combining our expertise, we have been able to create products that make the Netherlands stronger. Not only in innovation, but also in autonomous production capacity for critical markets in the Netherlands and worldwide.” — Wesley Jacobs, Ridderflex