In summer 2024, all eyes will be on a great sport event in Paris, France. In this festival that has captured the world’s attention, athletes challenge their physical and mental limits, engaging in exhilarating competition.

Behind their incredible performance are unseen supporters: advanced sports equipment armed with cutting-edge technology. These high-tech marvels enable athletes to run faster, jump higher, and become stronger. At the core of this innovative sports equipment, there is a remarkable influence of petrochemicals.

| Enhancing safety with lightness: petrochemical secrets of cycling

Cycling is a sport where speed determines the winner. The first bicycle is generally considered to be the célérifère, created in the late 18th century by French nobleman Conte Mede de Sivrac. This early bicycle featured two wooden wheels of the same size connected in a line, with a saddle mounted on top. Riders would propel themselves by pushing their feet against the ground. The célérifère, meaning “fast-running machine,” was heavy and uncomfortable due to its wooden construction, and its fixed wheels made changing direction difficult.

In the 20^th century, new materials like aluminum alloys began to be used for bicycle frames, making them lighter. More recently, carbon fiber has become the primary material for bicycles. Also known as Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP), carbon fiber is a material that enhances the strength and elasticity of plastic by incorporating carbon fibers. Carbon fiber is favored for its lightweight properties and low thermal expansion rate, making it ideal for creating complex shapes. As a result, it has become a popular lightweight material for various sports equipment.

Beside bicycle, helmets are manufactured from advanced plastic materials, protecting our heads during various outdoor activities such as skateboarding, inline skating or electric scooters. Advanced plastic makes it possible to produce a complex, ventilated and light equipment. One of these materials is polycarbonate, a popular choice for helmets due to its light weight, better heat-resistance, and high durability compared to regular plastic.

| Wave masters: petrochemical magic behind surfboards

The quest for excellence extends to the sea. Surfboard is a key item for ocean sport surfing, where one rides the waves on a single board. The boards are made of balsa wood, which is soft and light but also solid compared to its low density, making it a great material for surfboards, rafts, and woodworking. Yet, in the 1950s, as balsa wood became scarce in California, which was a hot spot for surfing at that time, some surfers started using polyurethane foam for their boards. Polyurethane foam boards floated better and were lighter than traditional wooden ones, making surfing much easier and lowering the entry barrier for enthusiasts.

Today, surfboards are made of high-strength polyethylene and polyurethane foam, with surfaces often coated in polyester resin to enhance waterproofing. This allows even smaller boards to provide sufficient buoyancy, enabling surfers to perform more impressive maneuvers.

| Cutting through water: petrochemical innovation behind high-tech swimwear

Since modern swimming became an official sport, there has been continuous research and development in swimwear to help swimmers go faster. A significant milestone in swimwear history was reached in the 1960s when DuPont developed the world’s first spandex fiber. Spandex, known for its exceptional stretch and recovery, along with nylon, became essential materials in modern swimwear.

With advancements in the petrochemical industry, swimwear materials have continued to evolve. Functional synthetic fibers have been developed to protect against damage from sea salt and chlorine in swimming pools. Additionally, materials that prevent transparency when stretched and offer UV protection have also been introduced, further enhancing the performance and durability of swimwear.

| Race for victory: petrochemical secrets of perfect-fit sportswear

In track and field events, running is undoubtedly the most highlighted discipline, ranging from the 100-meter sprint to the 42.195-kilometer marathon. This extreme sport, which tests human limits, relies not only on the athletes’ skills but also on the sportswear they use. In fact, many world records have been broken thanks to advancements in sportswear. Spandex, nylon, and polyester have become the key materials in modern athletic clothes. Sportswear made from these materials supports muscle activity, minimizes air resistance, and as moisture-wicking clothing, makes temperature regulation easier, acting as “a second skin”.

Meanwhile, along with the growing concern for climate crisis and environmental protection, selection criteria for both sportswear and sports gear have become more stringent. Now, the impact of individual consumption on the environment is a key factor in purchase decision process. In response to this trend, on July 5 this year, SK Geo Centric announced that it would. In response, SK Geocentric announced on July 5th that it will produce sustainable polyester using recycled materials such as used cooking oil and palm residue oil, in collaboration with petrochemical and textile/apparel companies from Japan, Finland, India, and Thailand.

SK Geo Centric produces renewable paraxylene (PX), a key raw material for polyester, and six global textile and apparel companies process it to create eco-friendly polyester. his sustainably produced polyester is used in sportswear products by outdoor brand The North Face, which leads the gorpcore* fashion trend. The amount of renewable Paraxylene produced by SK Geo Centric this year is sufficient to make approximately 100,000 T-shirts.
(*) Gorpcore (Gorp+Nomcore): A fashion trend that involves wearing outdoor and utilitarian clothing as everyday streetwear. The term was derived from “gorp” (‘Good Ol’ Raisins and Peanuts), a term for snacks favored by hikers, and “normcore”, a fashion style that emphasizes simple, unpretentious style.

From surfboards with incredible buoyancy to high-tech swimsuits and lightweight bicycles designed for speed, all these sports gear are closely linked to the continuous advancements in the petrochemical industry. As the world gears up for the sport event in Paris, discovering the cutting-edge tech behind athletes’ gear will take your summer excitement to the next level!