Kookaburra is the world’s largest supplier of cricket and hockey balls, and their Dimple Elite MK hockey balls were used exclusively at the Rio Olympic Games. The ball featured a specifically developed micro-foamed core co-developed by Kookaburra and Pacific Urethanes.
Kookaburra worked closely with Pacific Urethanes to develop a polyurethane solution that met the FIH’s stringent performance requirements and the expectations of the world’s best players. The Kookaburra Dimple Elite MK hockey ball was made with a golf-sized solid PU core, which was then wrapped in layers of cork and worsted yarn to form a unique multi-layered core. A polymer casing is then injection-moulded around the core to give the final product its renowned dimpled appearance.
Pacific Urethanes’ formulations for this exacting application were based on Dow Chemical polyurethane raw materials. In addition to on-field performance, elite players rely not just on sight but also on sound to judge the speed and trajectory of the ball when it is in play.
Pacific Urethanes worked with Kookaburra for over two years and developed 14 different formulations to create the successful Olympic-standard hockey ball. Pacific Urethanes and Kookaburra are very proud of this achievement in creating a world-class hockey ball that was featured on the world stage at the Rio Olympics.
