ETFE is not very popular in the world because of the following reasons:
1. Limited strength: Can only span about 3 meters.
2. Excessive flexibility: The only scheme to use this material is “cushion”.
3. High translucency: This is its selling point but also can be translated as its weakness. Television may prefer controllable artificial lighting instead sunlight which changes direction all the time.
4. Mechanical equipments: Cushion requires the supply of pressurized air. For the Main Stadium, there could be as many as 13,200 cushions that need to be monitored for leakage.
5. Electricity: To ensure supply of air, back up system or systems will be needed.
6. Vandalism: Sharp objects can damage the material and cause air to leak. Flying debris also can cause substantial damages to vertical surfaces.
7. Initial investment: The initial cost is very high, as high as glass panels.
8. Maintenance cost: Daily maintenance is required. A maintenance crew should be kept.