Preparations for the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 have been focused on creating one of the best environments for athletes, spectators, media and other participants in the freezing February conditions expected in South Korea. Building technologies from The Dow Chemical Company, a subsidiary of DowDuPont, are incorporated into the Olympic Plaza, the International Broadcast Centre and the Olympic Sliding Centre to help protect people from the elements, minimize heat leakage and help maintain excellent ice conditions for competition surfaces. 

“Our role as the Official Chemistry Company of the Olympic Games allows us to bring Dow’s game-changing solutions to facilitate better infrastructure performance both for the Games and the surrounding communities,” said Louis A. Vega, Dow’s vice president for Olympic and sports solutions. “Our portfolio of sustainable solutions sits truly at the intersection of science and sport.”

Insulation for Warmth…and for Cold

The Olympic Plaza is a landmark venue for the Olympic Games’ opening and closing ceremonies, and the International Broadcast Centre serves as a main hub for the media. With the average temperature in PyeongChang in February at 33-35 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s imperative that buildings are equipped to maximize energy efficiency and keep heating costs down. Both venues feature several technologies from Dow that help retain warm air, while keeping cool air and moisture out. Polyisocyanurate panels incorporating Dow’s PAPI Polymeric MDI are used to insulate the walls and roofs. These panels have excellent thermal insulation properties that will help protect against cold weather during the event and help increase energy efficiency of the buildings.

Also included in the walls and roofs are VORANOL and ISONATE polyurethane coating technology, as well as VORASTAR coating technology that provides waterproof protection for buildings. Dow Corning silicone sealant fills and seals gaps between walls and doors or window frames to help protect reporters in the International Broadcast Centrefrom the PyeongChang chill that could seep through the cracks. This air and weather barrier sealant solution has been used in high-profile buildings throughout the world, helping architects improve the airtightness of the building envelope, without sacrificing aesthetics. 

The Olympic Sliding Centre also uses Dow insulation technologies, but instead of keeping the warm air in and the cold air out, the technologies help maintain the cold temperature and consistency of the ice. A polyurethane spray foam, made with Dow VORANOL and PAPI Polymeric MDI was used to insulate the Sliding Centre. This insulation solution keeps the ice in the track from melting by offering reliable temperature regulation to maintain exceptional ice conditions and support the safety and performance of the luge, bobsleigh, and skeleton competitors.

“Our insulation and sealing technologies help make the Olympic Plaza, the International Broadcast Centre, and the Sliding Centre energy efficient venues, as they are key locations for the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018,” said Phillip Oh, Asia-Pacific commercial director for Olympic & sports solutions. “The technologies used to conserve heat in the Olympic Plaza and the International Broadcast Centre, and maintain the cold temperature in the Sliding Centre, showcase the depth, breadth and versatility of Dow’s construction solutions.”