
9 Feb 2006
Stadium Seating is Crystal Clear at the Winter Olympic Games Thanks to Eastman's DuraStar Copolyester
CAPELLE A/D IJSSEL, THE NETHERLANDS - Eastman Chemical Company's DuraStar copolyester has been selected by La Metaltecnica srl F.lli Venelli, a well established manufacturer of stadium and sports arena seating systems, for use in the manufacture of stadium seats for the Palasport Olimpico stadium in Torino.
The venue, designed by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki and Italian architect Pier Paolo Maggiora, can seat approximately 12,000 spectators and is set to host the XX Olympic Winter Ice Hockey Games this February.
For this application, two types of seat were required: one moulded as a single piece; the other moulded in two pieces – the seat and adjustable backrest. Approximately 6,000 seats were produced by the latter method, allowing the seat stand to be folded telescopically.
The design required a material having absolute clarity and brilliance in order to represent the ice on which the hockey is played. The material also had to have the ability to withstand impact and fatigue caused by intensive audience use. DuraStar copolyester was the material of choice as it not only met these fundamental requirements, but also provides excellent flammability ratings and chemical resistance to detergents, oils, and cosmetics as well as resistance to the influence of water on the long-term aesthetics and mechanical strength.
"By meeting the key requirements of safety, mechanical strength, stress-cracking resistance and absolute clearness, DuraStar copolyester exceeded all of our customer's expectations," said Andrea Caligiana, sales and market development representative for Southern Europe at Eastman. "Although it is a fairly new material for injection moulding applications, Eastman was able to provide both technical and commercial support to the customer."
The production and installation were carried out by the Italian company La Metaltecnica srl F.lli Venelli, based in Como. The company managed to complete the project in only six months. The entire process involved not only the search for the most effective material, but also product development, prototyping, moulds completion and testing, and the final production and installation of the seats.
"For all the people involved, including the Adriano Lissoni Company and Siroplast who were responsible for the moulding, this project has challenged our expertise," said Giancarlo Venelli, owner and industrial designer for La Metaltecnica srl F.lli Venelli. "We all have won this challenge with satisfaction, due to the choice of DuraStar copolyester as the raw material and thanks to the technical support given by Studio Gianni Motta on the development of the moulds."
Both Eastman and La Metaltecnica srl F.lli Venelli emphasize that the Palasport Olimpico stadium in Torino is the first sports facility in Italy with seating produced using DuraStar copolyester. "It's a unique, multi-purpose venue," said Venelli, "thanks to the flexibility of its telescopic seating systems made with DuraStar copolyester."
Gianni Motta, owner of Studio Gianni Motta in Barzanò (Lecco, Italy), highlights his satisfaction with the chosen material and the successful completion of the project. "We were pleased with the end result as the Palasport Olimpico stadium in Torino reflects the excellent cooperation between all parties involved. Eastman's DuraStar copolyester, which was selected in cooperation with La Metaltecnica srl F.lli Venelli, Lissoni, Siroplast and others involved in the project, met all the necessary structural requirements and crystal clear aesthetic criteria."
The Eastman material was chosen after undergoing a range of material tests, passing all tests for mechanical strength as prescribed by European standards. In addition it met all flammability requirements, rated a Class 1 material as established by the Italian fire regulations according to UNI 9174. This property is inherent to the material, making the addition of flame-retardant agents unnecessary.
The outstanding mechanical strength and durability, chemical resistance, excellent clarity and flammability ratings make DuraStar copolyester the material of choice for a wide range of specialty plastic applications.
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Notes for editors
About La Metaltecnica srl F.lli Venelli
Based in Italy, La Metaltecnica srl F.lli Venelli has produced and sold more than 3 million seats around the world – producing around 1,200 seats/day, as well as the relevant fixtures and fittings for the most important Italian and foreign stadiums and for Formula 1. As the company in Como is working for all types of sports venues, it plans to use DuraStar copolyester for other applications with different colours and finishes. To learn more about La Metaltecnica srl F.lli Venelli and its products, visit http://www.venellisport.it/homee.html.
About Eastman Chemical Company
Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE:EMN) manufactures and markets chemicals, fibers and plastics worldwide. It provides key differentiated coatings, adhesives and specialty plastics products; is the world’s largest producer of PET polymers for packaging; and is a major supplier of cellulose acetate fibers. Founded in 1920 and headquartered in Kingsport, Tenn., Eastman is a FORTUNE 500 company with 2005 sales of $7 billion and approximately 12,000 employees. For more information about Eastman and its products, visit www.eastman.com.
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