The stadium wrap panels will remain as much in their current shape as possible, keeping the look of the Games that has inspired athletes and spectators around the world. In addition, Dow is working with Manchester-based Axion Recycling to implement additional projects for reuse or recycling of the wrap within the UK.
Article 25 is a UK registered charity and NGO which since 2006 has worked on over 50 construction assignments, from one-off centers for abandoned children to large-scale reconstruction after disasters.
“These projects will build understanding about the importance of the use and reuse of materials in the global community,” said Robin Cross, director of projects and CEO of Article 25. “London won the honor of hosting the Olympics in 2012 by promising to inspire a generation of young people around the world to greater heights of personal and sporting achievement. By using the stadium wrap to build essential community facilities in Uganda and Brazil we hope to deliver on this international promise and bring part of the London Olympics to some of the most marginalized youngsters in the developing world.”
Axion director Keith Freegard added, “Our expertise and technology helps support LOCOG’s goal to stage the world’s first truly sustainable Olympic and Paralympic Games. We have already demonstrated that the stadium wrap can be recycled back into new plastic raw material in our Manchester factory. We look forward to developing other sustainable options for reuse of the wrap textile into beneficial applications in the Greater London region.”
After public funding for the wrap project was withdrawn in early 2011, Dow was selected through LOCOG’s rigorous procurement process to supply the materials and manpower to help complete the Olympic Stadium as its architects had intended. Dow worked with the Cooley Group, Rainier, Spartech and Shade Worldwide to develop the wrap, which is made up of 306 individual panels – each approximately 25 meters high and 2.5 meters wide – stretching from the concourse ground to the upper tier of the stadium.
The wrap is the most visible of Dow’s contributions to Olympic Games. Leading up to London 2012 Dow used the power of chemistry to bring sustainable solutions to the city of London. Dow projects included roofing and flooring in the Olympic and Paralympic Village for energy-efficient housing, resins in the unique blue and pink hockey pitch for faster and safer play, and wire and cable solutions in the International Broadcast Center to support the city’s technology infrastructure.
