Chemistry in Sport

2012

Sports brochure final.indd 1 5/4/2012 4:56:49 PM

 Chemistry is… sport

In this brochure we explain how chemicals and chemical companies are helping sporting achievement.

It takes years of training if an athlete is to who work hard to create new materials that
achieve their olympic dream, whatever their are stronger, lighter and more resilient.
sport.
Chemists also run the drug tests that help
To help realise this dream improvements to ensure a level playing field by catching the
new kit can help, too. cheats.

Many equipment, stadium and accommodation While there will never be an alternative to
improvements are only possible thanks to hard work and sheer dedication, chemistry
developments in chemistry and the chemists can add value to making sport happen.

Sports brochure final.indd 2 5/4/2012 4:56:51 PM

 Chemistry is… light

Bike design can give a cyclist a where they started to be used in a large class comprising
real speed advantage, and bikes applications where a strong but both natural and synthetic
designed for racing on the road or light material was an advantage. materials with a wide variety
the track are carefully engineered As well as being extremely light, of properties. The fibres are
to be as aerodynamic as possible. the fibres are strong and flexible. arranged in a mould, the resin
What they are made out of makes is added, and after curing the
a big difference too – the lighter a The fibres themselves are very pieces are removed from the
bike is, the less weight a cyclist has fine – at 5 to10 nanometres, they mould.
to drag around, and the faster they are finer than human hairs.The
will be able to go. Modern carbon fibres are wound together to make Many other parts of a bike
fibre racing cycle frames are every a yarn, and these can also be can also be made from carbon
bit as stiff and strong as their metal woven together to create a fabric. fibre, from wheels and forks to
counterparts, but significantly The bike parts themselves are handlebars and seatposts, and
lighter. made from composite materials smaller components such as
where the carbon fibre is mixed brake levers and gear shifters.
Carbon fibres were first made with a plastic resin to form a Even the soles of cycling
in the 1950s, but it was in the carbon fibre reinforced polymer. shoes and the shells of cycling
1960s at the UK’s Royal Aircraft Although the term polymer is helmets can be made out of
Establishment at Farnborough that sometimes taken to refer to carbon fibre reinforced polymer
a practical process was developed, plastics, it actually encompasses to make them lighter and stiffer.

Sports brochure final.indd 3 5/4/2012 4:56:52 PM

 Chemistry is… strong

Once, canoes were made of two component molecules, or canoe, layers of the polymer
wood and bark. Then, they monomers, together, and these fabric are combined with a resin
were replaced by wooden frame react together to form the polymer. on a mould, and then cured to
constructions covered in canvas. These long polymer molecules harden the resin. This creates
Over the years, other materials are then spun out mechanically a strong and light hull that does
started to be used – aluminium, to form fibres. Because of the not tear easily, and is resistant to
plastic, fibreglass. But now, way the polymer molecules bond abrasion. However, it does need
racing canoes and kayaks are together within the fibres, they are to be painted with a protective UV-
commonly made from the polymer extremely strong – at least five resistant coating because sunlight
Kevlar, which is both strong and times as strong as steel. They can damages the polymer.
light, and thus is ideal for the then be woven to form very strong
speed required for flat races, fabrics. The Kevlar can also be mixed with
and the turbulence and obstacles other materials, such as graphite
encountered in whitewater slalom. Kevlar’s first commercial use was and fibreglass. A Kevlar canoe
Kevlar – or polyparaphenylene to replace steel in racing tyres, is typically 20% lighter than the
terephthalamide, to give it its and it is perhaps most familiar for same design made of fibreglass,
chemical name – was developed its use in bullet-proof vests. But its but much more resistant to
by scientists at DuPont in the properties make it ideal in sporting damage.
1960s. It is made by mixing the products, too. To make a Kevlar

Sports brochure final.indd 4 5/4/2012 4:56:53 PM

 Chemistry is… stadiums

Modern construction materials the mixing process in order to and yet can still protect just as
have revolutionised the design modify the concrete properties well – if not better. For example,
and performance of sports in the plastic and / or hardened during the recent renovation
venues, whether it’s a showpiece state.These admixtures can make of Bayer Leverkusen’s football
stadium, a velodrome, an aquatics a real difference – for example, stadium in Germany, Bayer’s
centre or a multi-purpose sports the Bird’s Nest olympic stadium polyaspartic coatings were used
arena. They can allow venues in Beijing was constructed using to protect the metal girders from
to be built more quickly, stand BASF concrete admixtures that corrosion. These have a low
the test of time better, and even allowed the building process to viscosity so they can contain
reduce their energy usage. be completed more quickly. These higher levels of solids. They also
Concrete, for example, can admixtures were also used to dry more quickly and thicker
be formulated with additives speed up the construction of the layers can be applied, so fewer
that make it set more quickly Beijing olympic village, tennis coats are needed, and as there
to speed up building time, or centre and aquatics centre. is less solvent to be evaporated,
more slowly if it needs to stay Chemistry also provides the paints they are more environmentally
liquid for longer to allow it to be and coatings that protect surfaces friendly. By painting the girders
pumped further. Admixtures are from the weather and other with this coating, a very tight
specially formulated products that damage, as well as a decorative schedule was met, and only two
are added in small amounts to finish. Many modern coatings are coats were needed instead of the
concrete, mortar or grout during ‘greener’ than traditional paints, usual three.

Sports brochure final.indd 5 5/4/2012 4:56:55 PM

 Chemistry is… springy

Athletics track design was the late 1970s, and several Many competition tracks, such as
revolutionised by the introduction major athletics stadiums use those installed in the stadiums for
of Tartan by 3M in the 1960s. This this track surface, including the the Athens, Sydney and Beijing
polyurethane made its olympic Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Olympics, are made by the Italian
debut in Mexico City in 1968, and New Delhi that was used for the company Mondo, and this style
since that time these types of 2010 Commonwealth Games, and of track is also being used in the
synthetic polymers have become the refurbished olympic stadium London 2012 olympic stadium.
the dominant materials used to in Berlin where the 2009 World The prefabricated synthetic rubber
surface tracks. These all-weather Championships were held. ‘mats’ are seamed together along
tracks still work well in heavy rain, The track surface has three the edges of the lanes. The
unlike the grass and cinder tracks layers. The top layer is hard honeycomb backing increases
they replaced, and since the but elastic, and the liquid the natural springiness of the
original Tartan several alternatives polyurethane is poured onto the rubber material and supports the
that are harder wearing and track in one piece, which makes foot, reducing the amount it rolls
‘bouncier’ have been developed. it waterproof and resistant to when running. Over the years
One of the most common surfaces both weather and temperature. improvements in the design have
used for athletics tracks these Beneath this, two softer layers contributed to some very fast
days is Conipur, made by Conica, protect the athletes’ joints. tracks – five World records were
part of BASF. The company has Typically, an outdoor track lasts set in Beijing alone.
been making liquid plastics for for 10 to 15 years, and this can be
synthetic sports surfaces since extended by resurfacing.

Sports brochure final.indd 6 5/4/2012 4:56:56 PM

 Chemistry is… clothing

Sports clothing has come a swimming costumes to cycling kit This was used to make jerseys
long way from the cotton vest where a close fit is required, to for the Italian sailing team for
and shorts. A whole array looser clothing where its elasticity the Beijing olympic, instead of
of technical fabrics are now enhances both comfort and fabric the more usual polyester and
available, designed to enhance performance. polyamide fibres. It expels sweat
performance, increase comfort The shape of the fibres can have nearly eight times as fast as
and protect the athlete. an effect on a fabric’s properties. polyester, which was particularly
One of the most familiar – and Invista’s Coolmax is a great important in the very humid
important – fibres used in sports example. These technical fibres conditions in Qingdao, where the
clothing is Lycra, or elastane. are designed to wick moisture olympic competition was held.
This polyurethane–polyurea away from the skin, as they have By incorporating additives
copolymer was invented more four channels running along them into yarns, the properties of
than 50 years ago by scientists to speed up the transport of water the fabric can be enhanced.
at DuPont A successor company, along the fibre. This also makes Rhodia’s polyamide Emana is an
Invista, now produces Lycra and the fabric ‘breathable’. A second ‘intelligent’ yarn, with additives
other high performance branded Invista polyester fibre, Thermolite, that are claimed to give thermo-
textile products. The elastane has hollow fibres, which trap air. regulating properties and improve
fibres are combined with other Fabrics made with this fibre give the microcirculation of the blood
fibres, such as nylon or polyester, good insulating properties, yet are when worn for at least six hours.
and woven into fabrics that stretch lightweight. They also dry quickly. Studies have shown that it can
and retain their shape, allowing Aquafil’s Dryarn is another wicking also reduce the build-up of lactic
clothes that cling to the skin to fibre. It’s a type of polypropylene acid that leads to muscle fatigue.
be made. It is now used in a wide based on LyondellBasell’s
range of sports clothing, from Metocene polypropylene resin.

Sports brochure final.indd 7 5/4/2012 4:56:57 PM

 Chemistry is… balls

Where once footballs were made This contains millions of really tiny ideal material for the bladder in
from stitched-together panels gas-filled ‘bubbles’, and gives the a ball as it helps keep the air
of leather, modern footballs are ball better elasticity, so when it is inside.
carefully designed using modern kicked more power is transferred Meanwhile, although tennis
polymer technology. They’re from the foot to the ball. As balls are usually made of natural
lighter, don’t soak up water the ball is so waterproof, it still rubber, the fluffy felt outer cover
and – unlike stitched balls – are behaves as well in heavy rain. is made from a synthetic fibre.
perfectly round. As air can leak out of balls over This felt improves the way
The first unstitched ball to gain time causing them to deflate, the balls fly through the air by
official approval was the Adidas the inner bladder of balls such reducing aerodynamic drag. One
Roteiro, which was used at as basketballs and footballs fibre that is used to make this
Euro 2004 in Portugal. Rather can be made from Exxon’s butyl is Rhodia’s Noval polyamide,
than being stitched, the pieces rubber, or polyisobutylene. This which improves the balls’
are thermally bonded together. synthetic rubber is a copolymer of resistance to both wear and
Underneath the waterproof isobutylene with a small amount abrasion, so the felt retains its
polyurethane surface is a layer of isoprene (the building block of texture better and the balls keep
of foam made from Bayer’s natural rubber). It provides a very flying well for longer.
Impranil polyurethane material. good barrier to air, making it an

Sports brochure final.indd 8 5/4/2012 4:56:58 PM

 Chemistry is… recovery

It’s important to drink when A sports drink contains these three burnt by the muscles. These might
exercising – it’s easy to become essential components – water, be glucose, fructose, maltodextrin
dehydrated as so much water electrolytes and carbohydrates. or even sucrose.
is lost in sweat. But it’s not Water on its own isn’t enough – it A number of sports recovery
only water that’s lost – sweat quenches the thirst too quickly drinks also contain proteins.
contains salt and other essential and there is a danger that the The aim here is to increase the
chemicals. And then, of course, athlete will remain dehydrated. levels of glycogen and protein
the energy that’s been burnt up Even if they do drink sufficient in the muscles, and help muscle
needs to be replaced. Ever since plain water, there is a risk that the repair and growth. Some of these
the launch of Gatorade in the level of salt in the blood will fall drinks also contain amino acids,
1960s, a steady stream of new to dangerous levels. Electrolytes, the chemical building blocks that
sports drinks have appeared on including sodium and potassium make up proteins. There are also
the shelves, and today there are salts, replace those lost in the claims that if products containing
many sophisticated products that sweat. The carbohydrates are also whey protein are drunk after
contain chemicals designed to aid important, as they replace the exercise, it can reduce muscle
recovery. ‘fuel’ that has been soreness.

Sports brochure final.indd 9 5/4/2012 4:56:59 PM

 Chemistry is… fair

Bringing Science to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be the major event of 2012 watched by over
4 billion people around the world. GlaxoSmithKline is using the excitement generated by the Games as
an opportunity to advance scientific progress, inspire a new generation of young scientists and improve
the health and wellbeing of communities and employees. Some of this will be achieved through our official
London 2012 partnership, but we are also going beyond this commitment to ensure we create a positive and
lasting legacy.

Promoting fair play and advancing scientific progress

As the Official Laboratory Services Provider of the London 2012 Games, GSK are contributing expertise
in research and development to support the integrity of the Games and health of athletes. Scientists from
King’s College London (KCL) will use the new World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratory,
established by GSK, to test for use of performance-enhancing drugs during the Games. GSK are helping
to recruit over 100 PhD students, who will support KCL anti-doping experts to analyse over 6000 samples
- more than any tested during previous Games. GSK is currently working to secure a sustainable future for
the laboratory in the hope that it could operate as a standalone business beyond the Games. GSK has also
selected 10 employees who will manage Anti-Doping Control Centres at Olympic and Paralympic venues
where athletes will provide their samples.

GSK will continue to help in the fight against doping after the Games and have committed to supply WADA
with confidential information about medicines in early stage development that have the potential to be
abused by athletes. This will allow them to develop testing techniques before these medicines are even
marketed.

Inspiring young scientists

London 2012 has inspired GSK to create ‘Scientists in Sport’, a school outreach programme. Jointly
developed with KCL and UK Anti-Doping (UKAD), this helps 11-14 year old students understand the role
science will play in the Games and excites them about potential science careers. The children visit a
university to participate in activities and hear about how science is used in sport.
At the same time GSK are running a UK-wide challenge for schools, endorsed by the British Science
Association, where teams are asked to design a portable anti-doping kit to test for new substances. GSK
have developed kits for GSK Science Ambassadors to use in our outreach programme and a range of free
resources for teachers and students available at www.scientistsinsport.com.
The ambition is to reach every secondary school in the UK and encourage thousands of school children to
participate in the programme.

Improving health and wellbeing in the community

GSK has a long heritage of contributing to local communities by supporting employees and being involved in
wider partnerships. They are using London 2012 as an opportunity to improve health and wellbeing through
community initiatives such as ‘Your Personal Best’ (www.yourpersonalbestcampaign.co.uk). This initiative
with NHS London will help to deliver a health legacy for London 2012 by inspiring the 7.78 million people
aged over 55 with long-term health conditions to lead a more active lifestyle.

Motivating our employees

GSK have used their London 2012 partnership to recognise GSK employees who make a positive difference.
They are using 100 per cent of their ticket allocation for the Olympic and Paralympic Games to reward
employees who are demonstrably living the joint GSK and Olympic / Paralympic ideals of integrity, equality,
friendship and excellence.

Sports brochure final.indd 10 5/4/2012 4:57:00 PM

 Winning SolutionS
dOW at the lOndOn 2012 Olympic gameS and BeyOnd

Working to deliver solutions for a more sustainable Olympic Games and a more
sustainable world

Olympic Stadium – lOndOn

Dow solutions: Roofing and stadium wrap
london’s Olympic Stadium is “wrapped” with fabric
panels produced by dow and made with dow
resins. Roofing insulation materials from dow
offer moisture resistance and structural strength.

Olympic Village – lOndOn

Dow solution: Roofing
insulation from dow is used in the Olympic Village
apartments to protect 17,000 athletes and officials
from the elements.

WeStfield ShOpping centRe and

paRking deck – lOndOn
Dow solutions: Roofing and flooring
insulation materials from dow are helping to ensure
long-term moisture resistance and durability of
the Shopping centre’s roof. Below, dow insulation
materials help ensure strength, durability and
moisture resistance for a safer parking deck.

etOn manOR SpORtS cOmplex – lOndOn

Dow solution: Flooring
low-VOc resin flooring from dow is designed
to be tough, durable and slip-resistant for
athletes using this aquatics and paralympic
training facility.

cOppeR BOx – lOndOn

Dow Solutions: Roofing and flooring
high-strength insulation materials from
dow help meet high structural and energy
efficiency demands for the handball
structure’s inverted roof.

Sports brochure final.indd 11 5/4/2012 4:57:01 PM

 The Facts:

Where science and sport are the winning team...

Chemistry makes a surprisingly large contribution to sports.

Recycled engineering plastics are rapidly finding their way
into sports equipment such as lacing systems, fishing reels,
components for fitness machines and mountain sports gears.

Higher-end outdoor segments are expected to be the most

demanding sport markets for high-quality recycled and renewable-
based materials.

We hope this brochure shows you that without chemistry, sport Steve Elliott, CIA CEO
would not exist and that when they come together they produce a
winning team.

The industry that delivers UK growth...

Innovation drives growth. Chemical and pharmaceutical businesses spend more on research and
development than anyone else – over £5 billion each year which is one third of the total UK amount. This
generates growth. Chemistry facilitates other research in – new materials, adhesives, paints for aerospace
and automotive, and key components of electronics and communications.

Every working day our companies contribute £70 million to the UK economy, equivalent to £17 billion a
year.

We are major investors in capital equipment, helping to sustain UK activity in construction. Even during the
worst recession in a generation, we are still investing well over £1 billion a year in capital
expenditure.

The products and technologies of our companies are at the heart of the green economy. The energy saved
by society in the lifetime of these products is twice that used in making them.

We provide employment for over half a million people. Our highly skilled workforce perform quality jobs
that pay 40% more than the average for the manufacturing industry. We develop workforce skills and
encourage academic studies which reinforce the UK position as a competitive industrialised nation.

Chemical Industries Association

Kings Buildings, Smith Square
Westminster,London
SW1P 3JJ Richard Davies, Essar Oil (UK) LTD, Leader of
Chemical Industry Future Forum
“I joined the chemical industry as an apprentice and I am
now training to asses new apprentices that join us at the
Stanlow Refinery. The chemical industry has a big role
to play in making the products that you and professional
athletes use for sport. It is great to think that basic
chemicals that come from a plant I help to keep running
might end up running the olympics in London. But it
is not just sport that our products help, chemicals are
also helping cut the carbon emissions of things you do
every day, for instance when you switch on a light or get
to school by car. To find out how you can be part of the
solution too, you can learn about careers in the chemical
industry at www.cia.org.uk”

Sports brochure final.indd 12 5/4/2012 4:57:02 PM