Industry Special: Enhancing the rings with a diamond

Two years ago this month, The Dow Chemical Company, one of the world's largest chemical companies, joined the Olympic family as a worldwide partner.

It is possible to say Dow and the Olympic Games were destined to be together.

Dow was established in 1897 and the first Olympic Games of the modern times were held in 1896.

Dow's logo is a red diamond while the Olympic rings are similar to the jewelry worn on fingers.

A diamond setting enhances the rings and, together, it conveys an unbreakable bond. In the very same way, Dow's partnership with the Olympic Games brings out the best in sports.

Both are bonded together by a commitment to the values and priorities of the Olympic vision, scientific innovation and sustainable development.

George Hamilton, vice-president for Dow's Olympic operations, said: "Our innovative and sustainable products enable the Olympic Games to showcase the best in sport. At the same time, the Olympic Games are the best and biggest platform to demonstrate Dow's solutions."

Three-decade ties

The initial relationship between Dow and the Olympic Games goes back to the 1980 Winter Olympic Games held in Lake Placid, the United States.

That year, Dow supplied a significant amount of Styrofoam insulation for the ice-skating and bobsled competitions.

Today, Styrofoam is widely acknowledged as one of the best insulation materials in the construction industry thanks to its stable dimension, outstanding waterproof performance, high heat resistance and super anti-compression strength.

The material is now used in more than 21 million buildings around the world, saving up to $10 billion a year in energy costs, which equates to several hundred million tons of reduced carbon emissions each year.

Before becoming a worldwide sponsor in 2010, Dow has been offering its solutions at different occasions of the Olympic Games.

Dow's Styrofoam was used again in the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary, Canada for the ski jumping and bobsled competitions.

The US Olympic bobsled team also turned to Dow's Tactix performance polymer to produce their sleds.

At the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, PelaDow calcium chloride pellets were used to keep pedestrian areas clear and safe for athletes, volunteers and spectators.

Dow began participating in Olympic Games corporate hospitality with the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, a program it has joined for six successive Olympiads.

Commitment

Dow has a long-standing commitment to global sustainability, scientific excellence and addressing the most pressing needs the world is facing today in areas like energy, housing, health and safety.

The Olympic movement is about peace, progress and the world coming together to celebrate our common humanity, ideals Dow has pledged to uphold.

In July 2010, the International Olympic Committee formally announced Dow as an "Official Worldwide Olympic Partner" and the first-ever "Official Chemistry Company for the Olympic Movement" through 2020. Only a few companies have the privilege and honor to have their logos presented together with the Olympic rings.

The Dow Chemical Company is a worldwide partner of the Olympic Games from 2010 to 2020, and it says it is proud to provide innovative and sustainable solutions for the Olympic Games.

At the 2012 London Olympic Games, the Olympic Stadium, the Riverbank Arena, the International Broadcasting Center, the Olympic and Paralympic Village and the Westfied Shopping Center, among others, are all using Dow products and solutions.

Athletes, spectators and TV audiences around the world will be able to experience and see how material science truly improves their performance and our daily lives.

liujie@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 07/31/2012 page14)