Two years of real-world use
From January 2023 to March 2025, the ropes were used during field work by scientific expeditions at the Czech J. G. Mendel Station on James Ross Island. They anchored equipment, secured sites and protected people moving through difficult terrain. Throughout the entire test period, they also kept masts anchored without interruption.
Temperatures ranged from about +15 to −30 °C. The ropes withstood strong winds and snowfall, repeated contact with water when crossing glacial streams, and sharp volcanic rock.
Laboratory results
After returning to the Czech Republic, the ropes underwent static strength testing at the testing laboratory of VVUÚ, a.s. Mass, strength and creep (permanent elongation) were compared before and after the test.
ENERGO FORCE
- breaking strength of 69.2 kN before and 64.2 kN after Antarctica
- 65 kN with an eye termination, the most critical point of a rope
- creep of only 0.2% after more than two years under load
- virtually unchanged mass (70.2 g/m before, 69.7 g/m after)
HMPE, 8 mm
- strength decreased from 69.5 kN to 61.4 kN, approx. 12%. This is natural after several years of real-world loading and still leaves a high safety margin.
- creep of 0.4% after more than two years under load
- virtually unchanged mass (difference of 0.07 g/m)
According to Masaryk University, the results confirm that both ropes are suitable for long-term use even in harsh climatic conditions. Detailed results are available at tested-in-antarctica.com.
What the trademark means
Masaryk University grants the “Tested in Antarctica” trademark to products and technologies that have been tested and have withstood the extreme conditions of its Antarctic station. ENERGO FORCE and HMPE are the only ropes on the list of awarded products.
We develop ENERGO FORCE for installing overhead power lines, where it replaces steel rope. The Antarctic results are further proof of its reliability in demanding outdoor conditions.
Testing continues
Our cooperation with Masaryk University and CTT MUNI continues. In the 2025/26 season, more LANEX climbing, static and mooring ropes are being tested in Antarctica, and some of them will stay in polar conditions for more than a year.
We would like to thank CTT MUNI, the Faculty of Science of Masaryk University and all members of the Czech Antarctic Research Programme for their cooperation.
Tested in Antarctica. Ready for anything.
Photo: LANEX; Masaryk University archive
