Jan 29, 2025 | Case Study | 9 minute read
Jan 29, 2025 | Case Study | 9 minute read
Materials science helps elevate the game, the experience and sustainability in sports stadiums.
Sustainability is a priority in many sectors, and the world of sports is no exception. Sports organizations are increasingly adopting sustainable solutions to reduce their carbon footprint and enhance energy efficiency. This shift is accelerated by the realization that sustainable practices not only benefit the environment but can also enhance the fan and player experience.
In this evolving landscape, materials play a critical role. By leveraging our advancements in materials science, Dow contributes to sustainable sports facilities. Materials science, an interdisciplinary field, explores how to design materials with specific properties. This expertise enables our teams to develop solutions that meet the unique demands of athletes and where they play.
From the ground up, Dow materials are at the forefront of driving sustainability in sports. These innovations help organizations achieve their sustainability goals, providing durable, high-performance solutions that address environmental impact and elevate the overall experience of venues.
Athletic fields, tracks and courts made with advanced materials can deliver the right combination of performance, strength, and sustainability—ensuring a top-tier playing experience across every sporting pursuit.
Artificial turf has revolutionized the way sports are played, providing a versatile and durable playing surface for a wide range of activities. From football to field hockey and beyond, artificial turf is the go-to choice for stadiums seeking a reliable and high-performance surface. The benefits of artificial turf extend beyond its immediate functionality; it also offers significant, sustainable advantages.
One of the environmental benefits of artificial turf is the reduction in water usage. Unlike natural grass, artificial turf requires no regular watering, which conserves vast amounts of water over its lifespan. Additionally, the maintenance of artificial turf is much less resource-intensive than that of natural grass. There is no need for mowing, fertilizing or pesticide application, which reduces both emissions and product runoff.
Dow plays a role in advancing artificial turf technologyopens in a new tab through our innovative materials. Our ELITE™ and DOWLEX™ polyethylene resins are used in the turf yarn, providing a combination of mechanical toughness, softness, and resilience. These properties ensure that players can safely slide, tackle and fall on the surface. Polyurethane can be used to improve strength and durability of turf backing while elastomer materials can be used as an alternative to crumb rubber as infill to cushion players.
We are committed to developing sustainable solutions and this is exemplified by our development of REVOLOOP™ 30-LL E Recycled Plastics Resinopens in a new tab. This resin, containing 30% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, is specifically designed for turf applications. It helps sports venues get closer to their sustainability goals by incorporating circular materials to help reduce the overall environmental impact of playing surfaces.
By maintaining precision control and improving the overall efficiency of facility systems, material science contributes to significant energy savings and the sustainability of sports venues.
Energy-efficient stadium lighting systems have become a crucial element in reducing electricity consumption while maintaining optimal performance.
Advancements in lighting systems include the integration of Dow SILASTIC™ Moldable Optical Silicones in next-generation LED designsopens in a new tab. This innovative material opens new avenues for efficiency, light output and energy savings, setting the stage for expressive stadium designs with enhanced visual appeal that also provide a superior visibility experience for both players and spectators.
By optimizing the light distribution and reducing energy consumption, these LED systems contribute cost savings and environmental benefits, supporting the sustainability of modern venues.
We have collaborated on the enhancement of stadium lighting at the Dow Diamondopens in a new tab, home of the Great Lakes Loons, a Minor League Baseball team affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The upgrade involved installing a state-of-the-art LED lighting system with improved light levels, uniformity, glare control, and energy efficiency, as well as special effects capabilities.
Alongside Schréderopens in a new tab, we also developed reliable LED floodlights to illuminate the 6,000-seat Hidegkuti Nándor Stadiumopens in a new tab in Hungary under intense conditions and UV exposure—introducing Eastern Europe’s first LED-illuminated sports stadiumopens in a new tab.
Building state-of-the-art stadiums requires sustainable materials and cutting-edge techniques to ensure the longevity and human-centric design of the structures.
Sustainable construction materials and techniques are pivotal in building modern stadiums. Dow has pioneered innovations that meet the highest standards of performance, enhance the durability of these structures and reduce their environmental impact.
The Japan National Stadiumopens in a new tab served as the Olympic Stadium during the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. This main venue for Tokyo 1964 was retrofitted with several Dow technologies in insulation, coatings, paints and wiring for Tokyo 2020. This includes foam sealants to fill gaps between materials and provide structural stability during heat expansion, cable insulation for reliable power throughout the venue, water-based coatings to meet low-VOC requirements, and telecommunications compounds for the seamless transmission of event footage across the world.
Another example of materials used in stadium construction is DOWLEX™ PE Resinsopens in a new tab, which help pipes resist stress cracks. DOWSIL™ Silicone Structural Glazing Sealantsopens in a new tab deliver seamless glass façades that contribute to both the aesthetic appeal and structural integrity of stadiums.
The Dow Centeropens in a new tab stadium in Bahía Blanca, Argentina, a flexible-use facility supported by Dow and other partners, became the first LEED-certifiedopens in a new tab sports complex in Latin America in 2022. Its construction includes polyisocyanurate panels and SILASTIC™ silicone elastomersopens in a new tab to create effective insulation that reduces energy consumption and improves the acoustics of the venue.
In 2019, the Golden State Warriors moved into the Chase Centeropens in a new tab, a premier facility in San Francisco featuring an 18,000-seat arena and mixed-use office and retail space. The project faced challenges including a tight build schedule and achieving LEED Gold certification. To meet these goals, they teamed up with Dow technical expertsopens in a new tab to install a DOWSIL™ Silicone Air Barrier Systemopens in a new tab for the damp climate conditions and DOWSIL™ silicone structural sealants for the challenging façade design.
Materials science is transforming the world of sports. By focusing on sustainability, durability, and performance, it is enhancing the experiences of fans and athletes and contributing to the long-term sustainability of stadiums and other venues.
Dow aims to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible, so that every aspect of the sporting world can benefit from our innovative technologies and solutions.
This case study was developed by a cross-discipline team representing materials expertise across Dow, Inc. To learn more about how Dow is innovating materials that are brought to life through venues, fields of play, apparel and equipment—take a deeper look inside the science of sportopens in a new tab.