See-Through Stadium

When the opening match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup gets underway in Germany, Japanese technology will help fans enjoy the action on the pitch. The Allianz Arena, where the tournament’s first game is scheduled to take place, is constructed from panels containing a fluoropolymer film called ETFE foil, which was developed and manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd. The panels form the stadium’s walls and roof. A major advantage of Asahi Glass’s foil is that it allows light to pass through it. This is crucial for the stadium’s natural grass, which needs sunlight to grow. The other advantage is the foil’s lightness and flexibility, making it easy to install in the smoothly curved panels.