Are you glued to the TV for the 2026 Winter Olympics in northern Italy? We absolutely are, and as we root for Team USA to win it all, we can’t help but notice how petrochemicals are essential to the Games.
The carbon fiber laminate used to make ski boards lighter, stronger and more agile? Made from propylene. The polyester lining used to insulate ski jackets? Made from xylene.
Even speed skaters depend on petrochemicals to keep themselves, well, speedy. Polyurethane ankle padding (made from butadiene) keeps their feet snug and comfortable, while their speed suits include a breathable and moisture-wicking polyester liner.
Whether they’re skiing or skating, America’s greatest athletes rely on petrochemical-based products to help them train, compete and win the gold.
The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) is the leading trade association representing the makers of the fuels that keep us moving, the petrochemicals that are the essential building blocks for modern life, and the midstream companies that get our feedstocks and products where they need to go. We make the products that make life better, safer and more sustainable — we make progress.
