PVC played a key role in the design of the football World Cup stadium, "Stade de France", which was inaugurated on 28 January, reports Solvay S.A. (rue de Prince Albert 33, B-1050 Brussels). The Belgian plastics' group's subsidiary Alkor Draka manufactured the stadium's 30,000 qm subsoil membrane at its plant in San Celoni, Spain. Solvay says the PVC membrane effectively insulates the turf and the track from any unpleasant odours emanating from the soil of the former industrial site on which the sports arena stands. The 9,000 qm PVC membrane covering the roof of the Stade de France suburban railway station was produced at Alkor Draka's Oudenaarde, Belgium plant. The fact that the ellipticial roof of the stadium is covered with 50,000 qm of PVC points up the material's versatility, durability, favourable price and eco balance, Solvay remarks.