Plasticisers attract global attention

Plasticisers are at the heart of a flexible PVC-coated globe in the shape of a football, which toured Germany to promote the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ competition.

The PVC-coated polyester fabric used to construct the enormous football gives durability and strength to the construction, and thanks to plasticisers is flexible enough to stretch over the 60 metric tons of steel frame that make up the framework. The plasticised PVC coating also prevents the exhibition against harmful UV-light.

'Football Globe' - based on an idea by the Austrian artist André Heller - was part of an artistic and cultural programme which accompanied the championships, and which toured all 12 German host cities.

During the day, when the globe looked like a giant football, interactive games and giant multimedia projections informed visitors about the World Cup™ and the history of football. Fans could also admire exhibits such as the World Cup™ trophy itself.

At night, the work of art turned into a giant, blue, luminous globe, which was used as a theatre for concerts, debates and other cultural events attended by prominent artists and politicians from all over the world.