ThyssenKrupp Magazin

exotic applications that Eschbach describes. What is needed are barriers
that divide and unite at the same time. Protective barriers that let
through light and images – and emotion – thanks to true transparency,
but at the same time protect people – like hockey fans – from dangers
on the other side. The results would be fatal if a puck hit a fan.
TRANSPARENCY IS IN FASHION
But let’s not forget the far-reaching thermal applications, which for polycarbonate
start at minus 40 centigrade and end at 115 centigrade, or
the very good processing conditions: what’s known as the “semi-finished
product” out of PC (this includes the material of the ice hockey
rink “glass”) can be bent cold and formed warm, beveled, sawed,
drilled, milled, nailed and screwed cold and warm without splitting. In
addition, it is durable against chemicals, gas, oils and non-aromatic
fats. Werner Eschbach does not hide his excitement about this material.
The plastics business is part of a growth market, he notes from his
TK Magazine | 1 | 2004 |
The demands placed on
the rink “glass” are high. It has
to act as a protective wall,
yet let the enthusiastic fans live
their emotions. The polycarbonate
sheets were tested under the
tough conditions that reign
in the hockey arena – and then
approved for installation.
RINK ‘GLASS’ 77
perspective of a service provider. “We are very well positioned; our
added value is above average. We are working on a multi-brand strategy,
within which we are geared toward medium-sized businesses.”
Making things transparent is the trend, and this is especially true of
ThyssenKrupp, which has intentionally become a leader in transparency
(in corporate governance). Eschbach, of course, would not make this comparison,
but he finds the parallels interesting. The new and highly transparent
glass in the DEG stadium is a great example of how interesting orders
with a broad public impact are acquired by ThyssenKrupp Schulte.
By the way, none of this had any impact on the outcome of the
game: in the 156th Rhine Derby, the visiting Cologne Sharks beat the
host DEG Metro Stars 3-0. In his heart of hearts, Werner Eschbach, who
works in Düsseldorf but comes from Cologne, may have been happy,
but he was diplomatic enough to keep it to himself. For him, there was
a more important result: 10,000 fans saw the game, entertained and at
times transfixed, and always in complete safety. 7