Leverkusen, Germany – The outer skin of the official football for World Cup 2014 uses polyurethane innovation from Bayer MaterialScience (BMS).
Thomas Michaelis, project manager for ball development at BMS, said: “The Brazuca comprises five layers based on Impranil polyurethane raw materials.”
The materials maintain the ball's shape and appearance over long periods of time, according to a BMS press release.
While the surface of conventional soccer balls consists of 12, 16 or even 32 panels, the Brazuka has six identical panels. That geometry is key to the ball’s performance against the elements and, because the design has fewer seams, moisture absorption is reduced, making it more durable.
The panels are welded together using patented thermobonding technology. The manufacturers use closely controlled pressure and temperature conditions and a heat-activated adhesive based on Bayer’s PU dispersion material Dispercoll.
