Painting & Coating Industry (PCI) logo Powder coating summit logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Painting & Coating Industry (PCI) logo Powder coating summit logo
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • Market Trends & Reports
    • Price Alerts
    • Subscribe to eNewsletters
    • Global Top 10/ PCI 25
    • Weekly Featured Article
    • COATLE Word Game
  • PRODUCTS
    • Product News
    • Must See Products and Services
  • MATERIALS
    • Additives
    • Resins/Polymers
    • Pigments
    • Equipment
    • Distributors
  • TECHNOLOGIES
    • Adhesives
    • Architectural Coatings
    • FINISHING
      • Finishing News
      • Finishing Technologies
      • Finishing Equipment
      • Finishing Today
    • Industrial Coatings
    • Nanotechnology
    • Powder Coatings
    • Solventborne
    • Special Purpose Coatings
    • Sustainability
    • UV Coatings
    • Waterborne
  • RESOURCES
    • Columns
      • Ask Joe Powder
      • Did you know?
      • Distribution Dive
      • Focus on Canada
      • Formulating With Mike
      • Innovation Insights
      • Moody's Coatings Conundrums
      • Powder Coating Perspectives
      • Target the Market
      • TiO2 Insider
    • Blogs
      • Editor's Viewpoint
      • Industry Insights
    • Coatings Supplier Handbook
    • Podcasts and Videos
      • COAT-IT! Podcast
      • Videos/PCI TV
    • PCI Store
    • Classifieds
    • eBooks
    • Sponsor Insights
    • White Papers
    • COATLE Word Game
  • EVENTS
    • Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit
    • Paint and Coatings Academy
    • Webinars
    • Calendar of Events
    • Lifetime Achievement Award
  • DIRECTORIES
    • Buyer's Guide
    • Equipment Directory
    • Materials Directory
  • EMAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • eMagazine Archive
    • China Issue Archive
    • Editorial Advisory Board
  • CONTACT
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Subscribe to eMagazine
    • Subscribe to eNewsletters
  • SIGN UP!
Company News

Dow Technology Used to Retrofit Structures at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

2020 Olympics
April 23, 2021

MIDLAND, MI – Behind the scenes of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, Dow's materials science expertise is helping to power infrastructure technologies that insulate, seal, connect, coat, protect and deliver a sustainable legacy. More than half of the 43 Olympic venues are existing facilities, resulting in an estimated savings of 80,000 tons of CO2 equivalent emissions. Among the existing buildings, nine of those that are retrofitted deployed various Dow technologies to help elevate the performance and aesthetic of facades, building envelopes and electrical systems.

"To ensure retrofit facilities at Tokyo 2020 have the necessary performance level expected of a modern Olympic Games, the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games leveraged Dow's materials science expertise," said Mike Reed, Vice President of Dow Sports Marketing Solutions. "The average lifespan of a building is 50 years, namely due to inevitable damage and wearing of the structure's skin or envelope. By working with our local customers to deploy Dow's innovative technologies to these buildings, we're able to help conserve and enhance existing structures, delivering sustainability gains long after the closing ceremonies."

The Olympic Games venues represent the proud heritage of Japan, the legacy of the Olympic Games Tokyo 1964 and the bright future of Tokyo's urban development. Although the Olympics Games, still to be called Tokyo 2020, have been postponed to July 2021, the focus on constructing an unparalleled Olympic experience for both fans and athletes continues. Featuring a total of 43 venues – including 8 new permanent structures, 25 existing venues and 10 temporary sites – retrofit venues at Tokyo 2020 honor their history and are reimagined to serve the city and its residents for the next decade and beyond. Dow technologies are used in the following repurposed buildings:

  • Olympic Stadium,
  • Olympic Village,
  • Equestrian Park,
  • Saitama Super Arena,
  • Kasai Canoe Slalom Centre,
  • Sea Forest Waterway,
  • Sea Forest Cross Country Course,
  • Nippon Budokan, and
  • International Broadcast Centre and Main Press Centre.

Nippon Budokan is one of three major venues originally built for the Olympic Games in 1964 that has been upgraded for Tokyo 2020. Known as the spiritual home of Japanese martial arts, structural protection of this important site is key. DOWANOL™ Glycol Ethers used in the water-based coatings system helps reduce damage from moisture, cracking and popping to keep the venue looking fresh. ELASTENE™ Elastomeric Wall Coatings help shield the exterior walls by providing excellent dirt and water resistance, while paint formulated with PRIMAL™ Acrylic Polymer is used to help protect the integrity of interior walls.

"Transitioning to a sustainable future is a business imperative for Dow, and as a materials science company, we have both the opportunity and responsibility to promote adoption of more efficient technologies," said Dr Hirokazu Shibata, technology and sustainability leader for Dow Sports Marketing Solutions. "It's no secret that the construction industry is one of world's largest consumers of both energy and resources, and the decisions made today for the built environment will play a major role in the future of the industry. With technology solutions that exist today, like those incorporated throughout Tokyo's retrofitted venues, we can improve the energy efficiency of structures, reduce embodied carbon and help leave a positive legacy backed by the power of sport and science."

Of the 39% of carbon emissions that result from building and construction, 11% comes specifically from embodied carbon — or carbon associated with the upfront materials and construction processes throughout the whole building lifecycle. As such, retrofit of existing structures results in significant embodied energy savings when compared with new construction.

Another retrofit example at Tokyo 2020 is the International Broadcast Center/Main Press Center, which needed to be re-glazed both to enhance aesthetics and stabilize the structure. DOWSIL™ SE 797 Silicone Sealant is leveraged in the canopy/connecting corridor that links the International Broadcast Center with the Main Press Center, giving the glass façade a sleek look without metal frames. The silicone sealant has excellent adhesion and weather protection, and also helps absorb and relieve movement between the structure's elements to prevent cracks that could result from Tokyo's hot summer temperatures.

Dow solutions are also incorporated across several newly built Tokyo 2020 venues, including the Ariake Arena, Ariake Gymnastics Centre, Tokyo Aquatics Centre and many more.

For more information about Dow’s collaboration with the Olympic Movement, visit https://www.dow.com/en-us/sports/partnerships/olympics.

KEYWORDS: paint and coating raw materials sustainable technology

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • PCI-0724-Global10-Feature-1440.png

    2024 Global Top 10: Top Paint and Coatings Companies

    Who ranks on top? PCI’s annual ranking of the top 10...
    Paint and Coating Market Reports
    By: Courtney Bassett
  • PCI-0724-PCI25-Feature-1440.png

    2024 PCI 25: Top Paint and Coatings Companies

    PCI's annual ranking of the top 25 North American paint...
    Paint and Coating Market Reports
    By: Courtney Bassett
  • pci1022-Kinaltek-Lead-1170.jpg

    A Novel Pigment Production Technology

    Following an extensive R&D program that demonstrated...
    Paint and Coating Pigments
    By: Jawad Haidar and Nitin Soni
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Manage My Account
  • eMagazine
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the PCI audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of PCI or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Modern arapartment complex painted in bright colors.
    Sponsored byEPS - Engineered Polymer Solutions

    Architectural Polymers Leading the Way in Coatings Innovation

  • paint sprayer in a workshop
    Sponsored byallnex

    Enabling Performance and Compliance: allnex Introduces a New Line of VOC Exempt Solvent-Borne Resins

Popular Stories

BASF SE Logo

BASF Reportedly Eyes Exit from Coatings

No. 7 BASF Coatings

BASF Comments on Potential Sale of Coatings Business

No. 3 AkzoNobel

AkzoNobel’s $1.4B Divestment Signals Strategy Shift



PCI Buyers Guide

Submit a Request for Proposal (RFP) to suppliers of your choice with details on what you need with a click of a button

Start your RFP

Browse our Buyers Guide for manufacturers and distributors of all types of coatings products and much more!

Find Suppliers

Events

September 3, 2025

Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit

The Coatings Trends & Technologies (CTT) Summit is an annual conference for both liquid and powder coatings formulators and manufacturers to discuss innovations in coatings technology. This event combines high-quality technical presentations, a resource-rich exhibit hall, and dedicated networking opportunities to connect scientific minds, foster innovation, and cultivate game-changing new ideas!

January 1, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Longest-running laboratory experiment

What is the longest-running laboratory experiment?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

CTT Summit Short Courses (Live 9/3/25)

Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit is expanding its offerings with four short courses. These short courses will offer an extensive day of interactive learning.

See More Products
pci  webinar april 2025

PCI CASE EBOOK

Related Articles

  • 2020 Olympics

    Dow Technologies Enhance Performance and Sustainability of Olympic Venues

    See More
  • 2020 Olympics

    Dow Solutions Enhance Olympic Gymnastics Venue

    See More
  • Waterborne-123199038.jpg

    Dow FASTRACK Technology Helps Pave the Road to PyeongChang

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • pce feb 2020

    PCI February 2020 Issue

  • pci april 2020

    PCI April 2020 Issue

  • pci march 2020

    PCI March 2020 Issue

See More Products

Related Directories

  • WAB US Corp.

    The WAB DYNO®-MILL wet bead milling process technology provides dispersion and ultra-fine grinding for particle sizes down to the micro or nano level to 100nm for full-scale production or laboratory research. The WAB dyna-MIX® and Turbula® series process technology enables of perfect homogeneity for materials of different densities.
  • IMCD US

    The Coatings & Construction business group offers specialty raw materials that drive performance, innovation and sustainability of paint, coatings, and adhesives formulations. We work with some of the world's leading brands to offer a diverse and innovative portfolio of additives, functional fillers, pigments, resins, and specialty solvents.
×

Keep the info flowing with our eNewsletters!

Get the latest industry updates tailored your way.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey & Sample
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Youtube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing