Sport at heart, at the heart of sports

Whether on the tennis courts or the grass field of top women’s football competitions, Arkema has a long-standing commitment to the sports world. For us, it’s a way to engage with a community that shares our core values: the pursuit of performance, teamwork, solidarity and inclusion. More than that, we believe in the transformative power of sports to connect people and create emotional moments. This is why we bring our expertise to the sports and are involved throughout the market, right down to its smallest details… 

Sports at heart: backing athletes on and off the field 

In 2019, we made a daring move: to become a key player in sports by sponsoring women’s football. This choice confirms a desire to be a leading figure in women’s sports, and more broadly, across all athletic disciplines. This pioneering commitment is a cornerstone for us. It reflects the very essence of Arkema, our DNA, deeply rooted in the values of performance, teamwork and solidarity. More importantly, it highlights a determined ambition to position ourselves on a larger scale as a major player in sports.  

Sport as a symbol of our values 

Promoting women’s role in society through sports has been our driving force from the start. Initially, as a partner of the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™, and then by establishing an ambitious sponsorship with D1 Arkema (now renamed “Arkema Première Ligue”), we aim to drive change.  

• At the core of these partnerships is a strong ambition to establish ourselves in a discipline that celebrates women, and this has been gaining momentum in recent years. We are committed to enhancing women’s positions on the sports field and within the company, linking these efforts to tangible progress in feminizing our teams in a historically male-dominated industrial environment. In 2023, nearly a third of our senior management and executive positions were held by women! 

Championing every athlete’s voice 

We are also committed to supporting unique athletes with inspiring life journeys through technical partnerships, but also through building meaningful human connections. This daily support is significant for us. No matter their sport or background, we proudly sponsor exceptional athletes, helping them in their pursuit of excellence and self-improvement.  

• Resilient and determined are the words that best describe Pauline Déroulède. In 2018, she suffered an accident that resulted in the loss of her left leg. However, this did not stop her; Pauline turned her disability into a strength and became a three-time French wheelchair tennis champion. Her dedication and energy, both on and off the court, perfectly embodies the values we share.  
• Jessica Sobrino is a member of the Mexican national artistic swimming team and is above all passionate about her sport. Although her path has not always been an easy one, her determination has enabled her to abolish the rule imposing a minimum height of 1m60 for artistic swimmers. Now a multi-medal winner at continental level, she performs the most spectacular acrobatics. And this is just the beginning for Jessica and her team: this summer, they will take part in the artistic swimming events. A first for a Mexican team since 1996!  

We are proud to stand by champions like Pauline and Jessica, supporting them in their inspiring journeys and future achievements. Each with their unique strengths, these extraordinary athletes are a true reflection of our values. 

> Discover here the portraits of Pauline Déroulède, Jessica Sobrino and all the other athletes supported by Arkema. 

Sponsorship Through Sports 

An ocean separates the priority neighborhoods of the Lyon region in France, from the Brazilian cities of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, yet they share a common thread. We support those who see sports as a means for social and professional integration. 

• In France, we have partnered with Sport dans la Ville since 2019, a Lyon-based association dedicated to personal development for youth through sports. This partnership perfectly embodies our convictions. It brings to life the values of inclusion and solidarity, which are essential to us, while also introducing young people to careers in science and industry. To this end, we strengthened our partnership with the association in 2023 by supporting the Job dans la Ville program, giving many young people the chance to familiarize themselves with our activities and benefit from professional opportunities. 

• In Brazil, Arkema supports the activities of Gol de Letra, an association founded by the two former 1994 World Cup champions and PSG iconic players, Raí and Leonardo. Recognized by UNESCO, Gol de Letra offers local youth programs and activities in sports and education to boost their employability and help them prepare for active life. By financially supporting the association and involving its own employees, we bring our values to life on an international scale. 

At the heart of sports: unveiling unexpected performances 

Did you know that in addition to participating in the Tour de France Femmes and setting marathon records, we were also on the field during the last men's football World Cup in Qatar?  

In 2022, on Qatari fields, 75% of the goals were scored with Pebax Powered® boots. So, what is this technology, and why is it a top choice in high-performance equipment? Let’s break it down. ⤵️

• In the 1980s, the chemical industry faced a shortage of plasticizing additives. Our material scientists took on the challenge to create a polymer that could perform without. This led to the birth of Pebax® thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), materials offering unique properties such as lightness, high durability, and outstanding energy return paired with flexibility. Today, Pebax® materials are a flagship product range in Arkema's portfolio and a highly renowned polymer, versatile enough to meet the needs of many industries, including sports! 
• Thanks to their unique properties, Pebax® materials have conquered the sports industry since their introduction to the market. Today, their performance is unquestionable and unrivaled, making them a reference in the industry. Discover here a series of videos highlighting the performance gap between Pebax® elastomers and other materials found in the market. 
• Football, rugby, running, track & field, skiing, basketball, handball, tennis — the list goes on. From Mizuno to Scarpa to On Running, many sports equipment manufacturers trust Pebax® materials when designing their high-performance products to meet athlete’s requirements. And who better to share their experience than the athletes themselves? Daniil Medvedev, professional tennis player and world number 5, collaborated with Lacoste on the development of the AG-LT21 Ultra shoe and its update, the AG-LT23 Ultra.

Hear his insights. ⤵️ 

The Pebax® technology helps you to comfortably change your directions and be well grounded when you hit the ball. When we designed this shoe with Lacoste, we wanted me to be as fast as possible on the court. We needed a lightweight shoe which is resistant to movement. And we managed to do it!

Curious about how our materials feature in various sports brands' products? Check out our interactive map for an in-depth look! 

• Based upon Arkema's 75-year experience in castor oil chemistry (Rilsan® PA11), our scientists pioneered the development of bio-based thermoplastic elastomers with the launch of the Pebax® Rnew® product range 15 years ago. While remaining a cutting-edge technology and keeping their original exceptional properties, Pebax® Rnew® polymers are derived from a renewable feedstock: castor seeds. This growing range of Advanced Bio-Circular grades allow brands to eco-design their equipment without compromising on performance. 

> Want to find out more about the sports in which our materials are used? Watch this video! 

So next time you’re watching a match at Roland Garros or from the stands of Stade de France, keep an eye out. Arkema might be closer than you think… 😉 

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