LONDON 2012 – It’s officially a ‘wrap’ – London 2012 confirms Dow Chemical Company to produce Olympic Stadium wrap

The wrap will comprise of 336 individual panels – each approximately 25 metres high and 2.5 metres wide and will help the stadium become the visual centre piece of the Olympic Park at Games-time.  Installation will be completed by spring 2012.  

In keeping with LOCOG’s goal to stage a sustainable Olympic Games, Dow will repurpose the wrap following the 2012 Olympic competitions. The wrap will include resins made by Dow’s Performance Plastics Division and will require fewer raw materials to manufacture. It will be up to 35 percent lighter and have a lower carbon footprint when compared to conventional materials.

Other sustainable elements of the wrap include UV-curable inks replacing conventional inks to reduce emissions during the printing process and eliminate volatile organic compounds (VOC). The wrap will include post-industrial recycled content and the hardware used to hang the wrap will be recycled in Europe following the Games.

LOCOG Chair Sebastian Coe welcomed the announcement, 'The stadium will look spectacular at Games time and having the wrap is the icing on the cake. I’m delighted that Dow as one of the newer worldwide partners of the Olympic movement will be providing it and importantly doing it in a sustainable way. It reflects our vision and is a real statement of intent from Dow about their commitment to the Games.'

Minister for Sport and the Olympics Hugh Robertson said: 'At the Comprehensive Spending Review last autumn, the government could see the benefit of the wrap but did not feel the taxpayer should pay for it as we looked to make savings across the project. But I am delighted that a private sector company has taken up the opportunity which will become a major feature of the Olympic Stadium.'

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: 'This will provide the final grand touch to the magnificent stadium, which has already become an icon of the 2012 Games, transforming the east London landscape forever.'

George Hamilton, vice president of Dow Olympic Operations, said the company is committed to finding a sustainable post-games use for the wrap and is investigating several options.

'Our goal is to provide solutions that help make the Olympic Games more sustainable, safer and that will help improve performance,' said Hamilton. 'We’re providing this wrap as a sustainable solution for the Games and we look forward to celebrating its completion with Olympic fans around the world. We’re proud that the wrap will have a lasting and sustainable legacy, and one that will improve quality of life long after the closing ceremonies.'

'Dow has a strong commitment to sustainability, as documented in our 2015 sustainability goals,' said Keith Wiggins, Dow UK managing director. 'This commitment and our focus on innovation and scientific excellence are behind every stitch of the wrap. We’re proud that the wrap will be in compliance with the LOCOG Sustainability Source Code. We recognize the global importance of the Olympic Games and of the work we do in addressing global challenges through chemistry.'

'Dow became a Worldwide TOP Partner in 2010 and has already embraced the true spirit of the Olympic Movement,' said International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge. 'We’re proud to work together with Dow to advance our sustainability efforts as we approach the London 2012 Olympic Games.'

In July 2010, Dow announced its official Worldwide Olympic Partnership as part of The Olympic Partners Program (TOP). As the official “Chemistry Company” of the Olympic Movement, Dow is partnered with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and National Olympic Committees around the world through 2020.

Updated visual of stadium can be downloaded via this link