Abstract:

　　The use of a variety of plastic products throughout the London 2012 Olympic sites has　positioned the material as a significant player in the Games' sustainability effort, says　the British Plastics Federation (BPF), a UK plastics and polymer industry association.

　　Several BPF member companies have secured contracts to supply Olympic venues with items　based on HDPE, PVC and masterbatch products among others.

　　BPF Member Company, Polypipe Terrain is supplying "Terrain Fuze" (HDPE), "Terrain PVC soil　and waste systems" and "Rainstream rainwater harvesting and underfloor heating" to all the　major Olympic Park venues, particularly the Athletes' Village, the Olympic stadium and the　Velodrome.

　　"We ensured that our PVC system met all of the ODA requirements, and progressed other　sustainability benefits generally in order to be in a stronger position to compete for the　Olympic work. This included achieving the Carbon Trust standard last September," said Adam　Turk, Polypipe Terrain's Sales and Marketing Director.

　　Another BPF member company supplying PVC products to the Olympic Games is Hunter Plastics　who will be supplying goods such as "Multikwik WC Connectors" and "Multiwik traps" for the　temporary buildings.

　　Innovation in plastics is further reinforced as a headline theme for the London 2012　Olympics as the 2008 BPF's Horners' Award winner, The Durakerb Group, has confirmed that it　will be supplying both the North and the South Park with "The Durakerb Lightweight Recycled　Plastic Kerbing System". Durakerb is made from recycled PP and HDPE and a recent study has　indicated a near on 20% carbon reduction using Durakerb compared to traditional precast　concrete kerbs.

　　The BPF understands that PVC will be used in some iconic stadia at the Games such as a PVC　wrap on the two temporary seating wings in the Aquatics Centre where up to 17,500 square　meters will be needed. This follows the publication by the London 2012 organizers last May　of a strategy document covering the use of PVC in the Games. This laid down various　criteria such as the requirement for PVC to be manufactured in accordance with the "ECVM　Industry Charter for the Production of VCM and PVC".

　　The use of plastics in the London 2012 Olympic Games is not limited to the materials and　products used across its sites, Hornby PLC, the models and collectibles group, have also　secured a license to provide official London 2012 merchandise across its Corgi, Hornby,　Scalextric and Airfix brands–which rely heavily on the use of plastics in their designs.

　　"London 2012 lays down rigorous requirements for materials and the extensive use of　plastics is an endorsement that they can offer sustainable solutions in construction such　as, durability, recyclability, energy savings and safety," said Philip Law, BPF's Public　and Industrial Affairs Director.