Polyurethane track gives runners extra boost

Participants in a key sporting event of 2008 will now have an extra spring in their step thanks to polyurethane (PU) raw materials from Bayer MaterialScience (BMS).

A new track at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon, the site of the 2008 Olympic track and field trials to be held this summer, has been designed by Benyon Sports Surfaces of Hunt Valley, Md. to be one of the fastest track surfaces in the world.

The track features maximum return of energy and superior shock absorption, due to a bio-engineered force reduction layer of butyl rubber and fulldepth colour PU supplied by BMS.

The track is finished with a custom-made surface consisting of embedded EPDm granules, which allow for advanced traction, maximum return of energy and superior shock absorption, facilitating daily training without stress injuries.

Finally, the track surface, which is applied over base layers of stone and asphalt, is a two-component PU featuring the BMS’ modified isocyanate and Acclaim polyol.

Bayer Inc. — Division of Bayer AG (Toronto); www.bayer.ca;

866-770-1102