Inside the Science of Sports

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From making structures stronger to powering the future of electric vehicles, materials science and R&D are the MVPs of innovation. Sports can help bring this science to life, turning venues, fields of play, apparel and equipment into tangible showcases and testbeds.

At Dow, we collaborate with customers and partners to tackle a wide range of challenges with cutting-edge advancements in technology. Read on to discover how our innovations help improve performance and sustainability in and through the world of sports.

Case Studies

Jaguar TCS Racing car

Driving Low-Emissions Mobility with Jaguar TCS Racing 

Our MobilityScience™ technologies in the Jaguar I-TYPE 6 race car are unlocking new performance, efficiency and sustainability levels.

Wilson tennis ball

Sustainability at its Core: A Better Ball for the Planet

Wilson Sporting Goods utilizes Dow’s rubber-elastomer blended core technology to design a new tennis ball that eliminates the need for hard-to-recycle PET pressurized containers.

Luge on the track

Sliding into Comfort with USA Luge

Collaborating to develop customized, durable padding that enhances in-sled comfort for USA Luge sliders as they compete in World Championships and Olympic Games.

number 3 car crosses the finish line

Accelerating Performance with Richard Childress Racing

Quick teamwork and problem-solving leads to a silicone mold release gel that prevents the Dow No. 3 Chevrolet’s tire rubber from sticking to the wheel for a smoother, lighter ride.

golf ball with Dow Diamond logo on a tee

Teeing Up Plastic for a Second Life

Dow Championship organizers team up with recycler KW Plastics to convert mesh fencing and signage into resin for golf tees.

Olympic House

Achieving Sustainability Goals at the IOC HQ

Dow materials science solutions power one of the world’s most sustainable buildings from the inside out.

Green bike lanes

Safer Streets: Paving the Way for Cyclists

A Dow coatings team helps bring safe, new bike lanes to Philadelphia, PA, with cost-effective and durable traffic paint. 

Playground

Bike Tires Get a New Lease on Life on Playgrounds

Dow, Meituan and the Yao Foundation upcycle bicycle tires, which have been built into more than 10 sports facilities.

tennis racket and ball

Serving Up Faster-Drying Tennis Courts

Partnering with B.T. Sports to develop permeable hard-court surfaces that extend playing time after rainfall while meeting international standards.

light system

Introducing Eastern Europe’s First LED-Illuminated Sports Stadium

Developing reliable LED floodlights alongside Schréder to illuminate the 6,000-seat Hidegkuti Nándor Stadium under intense conditions and UV exposure.

exterior of Old Trafford stadium

Breathing New Life into Old Trafford

The home of one of the world’s biggest football clubs gets a new structurally-glazed main entrance / atrium powered by Dow silicone technology.

hockey player on the ice

The Science of Cool: PyeongChang 2018 Ice Rinks

How our heat transfer fluids help enable precise temperature control to create ice surfaces tailored to the needs of various ice sports at the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018.

Team USA and Team Europe golf bags

Reimaging a Sustainable, Luxury Golf Bag

Dow partners with a premium sport and travel accessories brand to create a golf bag made from carbon-neutral material* for the 2023 Solheim Cup athletes.

screen printing

Enhancing Textile Screen Printing for Sportswear 

Silicone printing inks that enable screen printers and apparel manufacturers to produce durable, high-quality and wash-resistant prints on sports apparel.

under armor shoes

Foam Powers Under Armour’s Most Technically Advanced Shoe

Dow and Under Armour collaborate to design new lightweight Curry Flow 8 basketball shoe that enhances comfort, durability, and allows players to turn on a dime.

Sports Technologies and Applications

  • Light bulb icon

    Building Silicones

    Helping provide design flexibility, reinforcing stadiums and skyscrapers, and enabling outdoor illumination.
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  • Snowflake icon

    Heat Transfer Fluids

    Commonly used in HVAC systems for buildings and stadiums, they can also help maintain exceptional ice conditions in ice rinks. 
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  • Grass icon

    Artificial Turf and Track Materials

    Polyurethane and elastomer technologies improve durability and extend surface life in walls, roofs, floors, artificial turf and sports tracks.
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  • Car icon

    Mobility Science

    Advanced cooling fluids, elastomers and plastics offer safety and comfort benefits for golf carts, race cars and EVs alike.
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  • Stadium icon

    Architectural and Industrial Coatings

    Coating technologies help enhance aesthetics, performance, durability and sustainability of sports venues and recreation centers.
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  • Sun icon

    Sun Protection

    A spectrum of products help boost UV performance of sunscreen, provide wash-off resistance, and improve spreadability to protect fans' skin health while watching the game, or when athletes play outdoor sports. 
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  • Golf ball icon

    Golf Balls

    Elastomer, ionomer and plastic additive products help create golf balls that last longer and go farther.
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  • Slide icon

    Rotomolding Resins

    Offering improved UV and weathering protection, vibrant colors, lightweighting and more for rotational molded products like kayaks, playground equipment and coolers.
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  • Sneaker icon

    Footwear

    Polyurethane and elastomer technologies help improve the rebound and dimensional stability of athletic shoes.
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  • Water droplet icon

    Liquid Silicone Rubber

    Enabling enhanced performance in sporting accessories like swim caps and snorkels.
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Let’s Innovate Together

The science of sport can be a business game-changer. The same chemistry and tech we use in the world of sports can enhance the performance, safety and sustainability of applications in other high-growth sectors like building and construction, and packaging. Connect with us to discover which powerful sports technologies might be transferable to your business.