Darmstadt, June 27, 2008. Not only the athletes are required to deliver top performance at the Olympics. The materials that are used to build the sports venues for the games must also provide outstanding results. High light transmission, excellent flexural strength, low weight, and a long life - these were the decisive criteria for selecting the Makrolon^® plastic sheets. More than 36,000 square meters of this innovative construction material were used in the construction of Olympic sports competition venues in China, creating spectacular settings for spectators and television viewers alike to see all of the exciting events without obstructions and in good light.

The impressive roof structure of the Olympic stadium in Shenyang, which is integrated into the green hills like wings slowly landing on the ground, could only be realized with high-tech plastics like the polycarbonate (PC) Makrolon^®. For the large, transparent roof above the stands, Bayer Sheet Europe (BSE) developed a special sheet, the Makrolon^® multi UV 3X/25-25 ES. The crucial parameter for the Chinese contractors was the minimal deflexion of the sheet at a span of 1.5 meters. The 25-millimeter thick sheets can bear more than three kilo Newton per square meter, which guarantees the stability of the roof even under high rain and snow load.

21.530 square meters of the roof and façade surface are made of the plastic sheet that was developed in minimum time by BSE. The material was manufactured in China by Beijing-based Bayer Guangyi Panel, making it possible to respond to customer requirements in a fast and flexible manner. Like BSE, Bayer Guangyi Panel belongs to the business unit of semi-finished products within Bayer MaterialScience. The low weight of the Makrolon^® sheets, which are much lighter than glass, also worked in favor of the tight schedule of the project. The multi-wall sheet can be installed by cold bending into a filigree substructure - in the Shenyang stadium, this structure consists of rectangular aluminum channels.

In view of the large investment that the building of a new stadium represents, the long life of the materials is also an important criterion. In previous projects, the Makrolon^® sheet barely shows any signs of ageing even after 20 years, demonstrating the top quality of the material.

Despite its roof, the sports stadium in Tianjin is still an open-air arena - thanks to Makrolon^® multi-wall sheet. 13,000 square meters of the material form a transparent inner circle and partially cover the stands. The 6-millimeter-thick Makrolon^® sheet has a light transmission rate of more than 85 percent, which has several benefits. As a large portion of the light spectrum passes through the transparent roofing, the tribunes could be extended close to the playing field. This maximizes the number of seats but prevents the obstruction of natural light, which would affect the growth of the lawn. For a stadium that hosts Olympic soccer games, an impeccable lawn is of crucial importance.

Makrolon^® multi-wall sheets were also used for the roofing of the stands in the Quingdao Olympic Sailing Centre, and in various parts of the façade of the venues in Beijing where the weightlifting and the gymnastics competitions will be held.

Everything is going to plan in the preparations for the Olympic games in China. All of the stadiums are ready and have demonstrated their suitability for the Olympic games at the „test games" Good Luck Beijing. Now everything is ready to welcome the athletes and fans from all over the world to the exciting and colorful competitions.