ISSUE 2 APR - JUN 2015

QUARTERLY YOUR GUIDE TO ALL THE DEVELOPMENTS IN SYNTHETIC TURF

ESTO RELEASE A SERIES OF ESTO LAUNCHES QUALITY MAJOR REPORTS LANDSCAPE CLASSIFICATION PLUS: »» NEW RUGBY FOR BLUES »» WORLD CUP RECORDS AT MONTREAL ... AND MUCH MORE SYNTHETIC TURF FOR PITCHES FOR VITESSE GELREDOME FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP STADIUM AND TRAINING FACILITY CANADA 2015 TEN CATE THIOLON comments on the club’s investment in the new professional sports surface: “To be able to Dutch football club, Vitesse, is having a new pitch compete in elite sports, you need to have the laid at its home stadium, the GelreDome, as well very best facilities available. Our pitch at the BONAR YARNS & FABRICS LTD measures including skin friendliness, resilience as at its Papendal training facility. The prestigious GelreDrome last season left something to and durability. Arhnem club came fifth in the 2014-15 Dutch be desired. As a leading club, we can benefit hugely from a world-class natural grass pitch. This year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup will be The synthetic turf will be expertly installed by . The club elected for revolutionary GreenFields will now provide us with that pitch, the first to feature synthetic turf throughout Carpell Surfaces over a foam pad and finished hybrid natural grass pitches, XtraGrass™, which which represents an important step towards the entire tournament, enhancing playing with TPE infill. Following stringent, independent will be laid during the season’s Summer break. securing our future and achieving our ambitious conditions and performance. field testing, the pitch will be used throughout XtraGrass is a natural grass pitch, enhanced with but wholly realistic objectives as a professional the tournament, including the quarter-final and a woven artificial grass backing. The proportion football club.” Act Global and their partner Carpell Surfaces, semi-final matches. of natural grass to artificial grass in the pitch’s will once again be supplying and installing the In addition, Vitesse’s training facility, Papendal The FIFA Testing and Certification criteria are composition is 90 percent to ten percent, artificial turf at Montreal Olympic Stadium – will also receive an XtraGrass™ pitch for use by based on the benchmarks of natural grass fields respectively. The hybrid XtraGrass system is incorporating exclusive Bonar Yarns synthetic the first eleven. Preparations are already under in good condition, to ensure the best playing an innovation by GreenFields, part of Dutch grass fibres. This partnership also supplied way on the main training pitch at Papendal for surface for the elite women’s world cup players. materials technology enterprise, Royal Ten Cate synthetic turf for the 2014 U-20 Women’s World the laying of a GreenFields® MX artificial grass The FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 will NV. Cup, with resounding success. pitch; the newest edition of the woven artificial take place from June 6 to July 5. Greatness is in This latest generation of hybrid natural grass grass system. The high-performing FIFA Certified pitch will the Detail pitches is distinguished by its durability, evenness feature, FIFA preferred producer, Act Global’s Agterberg is the company overseeing this project For more information about their fundraising and stability, while successfully meeting the high latest Xtreme Turf DX system, which contains and is also in charge of the overall maintenance efforts visit: Act Global and Carpell Surfaces standards of playability expected from natural an exclusive fibre blend from Bonar Yarns. grass football pitches at the game’s highest level. of the Vitesse training complex. The highly durable system outperforms other XtraGrass means durability, evenness and monofilament structures on a variety of stability Joost de Wit, general manager at Vitesse

2 ESTO QUARTERLY ESTO QUARTERLY 3 ESTO RELEASE A SERIES OF ESTO ADHESIVES MAJOR REPORTS DOCUMENT RELEASE

The European Synthetic Turf Organisation has The ESTO Adhesives Working Group as recently recently released a number of new reports released its Best Practice Guide for Adhesive about synthetic turf including 2018 Seam Jointing. and Synthetic Turf and Synthetic Turf and Led by the Working Group's chairman Brian Rugby Development in . Spencer, the final document released by the Additionally, the ESTO Report on the Working Group covers the basics of the process Importance of Synthetic Turf in the Overall before going into more detail on subjects such FIFA CANADA WOMEN’S Strategy of German Football looks at the as correct techniques, issues that can arrise and successful example of German football and remadies for these issues. its overall development strategy as a basis, WORLD CUP 2015 exploring the strategic importance of using In future years they will look at what all the pre-event synthetic turf within a long-term football ESTO LAUNCHES development and performance plan for QUALITY fuss was about. football associations. LANDSCAPE ESTO’s Medical and Injuries Report on CLASSIFICATION The synthetic turfs in Canada for the FIFA WOMEN’s WORLD CUP have certainly played a major Synthetic Turf and Natural Grass recognises part in the overall players performance – ensuring each match the players can maximise their the similarities between synthetic turf June 16th was the official launch of the Landscape playing performance on a high quality surface which will not deteriorate (unlike natural grass) and good natural grass in terms of ball Quality Classification. The document through the tournament as more matches are played in such an extensive period. This latest behaviour, feel and injury risks. The new ESTO http://theesto.com/landscape/ describes the positive development of synthetic turf in Canada coincides with several new reports showing medical and injuries research paper offers a ESTO classification of synthetic turf landscaping the performance, medical and player benefits of synthetic turf. comparison of player injury risk between the floor coverings that are designed for outdoor use. use of natural grass and synthetic turf. It details how the products are classified based on their resistance to pile wear and fibrillation TECHNICAL UPDATE ON CEN and the pile’s ability to remain vertical when subjected to simulate use. It also describes an ESTO REPORT ESTO REPORT: DEVELOPMENT OF RUGBY AND GERMAN FOOTBALL STRATEGY Meetings of CEN TC 217 WG6 and 11 were held format of the specification for synthetic turf used SYNTHETIC TURF IN FRANCE AND THE STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF SYNTHETIC TURF: “ESTO luxury rating” based on the appearance and A BLUEPRINT FOR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATIONS TO CONSID- ER SYNTHETIC TURF AS A LONG TERM DEVELOPMENT AND last week with Alastair Cox being the convenor. indoors has been agreed. It will be restricted PERFORMANCE STRATEGY. feel of certain types of synthetic turf landscaping ESTO is the exclusive sponsor/funder for Alastair to long pile football and rugby surfaces. It is turf. The objective of the ESTO classification is to Cox to help ensure ESTO and ESTO members proposed that short pile surfaces should provide guidance in the form of a set of criteria are even closer to technical developments and be considered by the new tennis working group and testing methods, to assist interested parties potential standards going forwards. For reference that CEN TC 217 is proposing (we may wish to in comparing the relative performance, durability The following ESTO members participated discuss this as they are looking for a convenor). and appearance of different landscaping turfs. The through their national committee: It has also been agreed that EN 15330-1 should classification only applies to outdoor landscaping Polytan be reviewed and revised. Details of proposed turfs. Those designed for indoor use are already Bonar Yarns amendments, corrections or new requirements covered by European Standard EN 14041: Resilient, Melos are to be requested. ESTO Members should notify Textile and Laminate floor coverings. Essential Sekisui Alveo their national standards bodies of any changes characteristics. Grainer Multi-foam they would like to see being considered.

RUSSIA 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP ESTO MEDICAL AND INJURIES REPORT ISA Sport The next meetings will be held 1 and 2nd October AND SYNTHETIC TURF LEGACY? ON SYNTHETIC TURF AND NATURAL ESTO AWARDS 2015 TO TAKE GRASS IN FOOTBALL Labosport (France and Italy) in Oslo. PLACE IN COLOGNE World Rugby, the FIH and Norwegian FA were also Further information will be communicated later in present. the year and an update at the ESTO Congress. Following the success of the inaugural ESTO Football Awards in 2014, the next edition of the The meetings made good progress. The EN for ESTO awards will be taking place in Cologne on shockpads now has a first draft that was approved the 28th of October 2015, make sure you save the by the working group. Further work is required, date! Take a look at the ESTO Awards brochure for but we are on target for the CEN timescale. The more information.

INJURIES AND SYNTHETIC TURF IN INTERNATIONAL RUGBY BOARD

4 ESTO QUARTERLY ESTO QUARTERLY 5 WEST HIGHLAND WAY CHARITY WALK BONAR YARNS & FABRICS LTD THE DELIGHTED WITH A massive congratulations to Bonar Yarns staff members, Bruce RUGBY SYNTHETIC TURF PITCH Harper and Chris Lafferty who took part and completed the West Highland Way Walk (WHW) on 8th April 2015, in aid of charity AT THE ARMS PARK – Meningitis Now. It was a long and exhausting experience; however both Bruce and Chris thoroughly enjoyed themselves The Cardiff Blues, one of the greatest rugby teams The new surface will allow games to go ahead and have conquered a task that had been on their ‘To Do’ list in the , play in the Pro12 – one no matter the weather and hopefully enable for quite some time. The WHW consisted of a 97 mile walk from of the three major professional rugby leagues us to play a more expansive and attractive Milgavie to Fort William, split over a six day period, and was in Europe, which involves twelve teams from game for supporters to enjoy”. bravely undertaken to raise money and awareness for Meningitis Scotland, Ireland, and Italy. Their recent Now – a charity close to their hearts. victories in the Anglo-Welsh Cup but also in the The two man team managed to raise an incredible amount European Challenge Cup tend to certify their high This synthetic turf is indeed perfectly adapted for of funds and awareness for Meningitis Now – after setting an status in European rugby. elite rugby, represented by the Cardiff blues, as it has successfully undergone very demanding tests original fundraising target of £400.00, they managed to smash This Welsh rugby club was founded 12 years under the criteria set by the International Rugby their goal and raise an incredible £1,240.00 with the total ago in Cardiff and play their home games in Board. In particular, the surface is characterised by continuing to increase due to family, friends and staff generosity. the 12,500-seater stadium of The Arms Park. In soft and strong fibers with extraordinary resistance For more information about A huge well done to both Bruce and Chris for this incredible fact, regarding their home turf, the Cardiff Blues and durability, giving the Blues the best long term achievement, as well as a massive thank you to everyone who decided to switch from natural grass to synthetic their fundraising efforts visit: solution and excellent conditions all year round. donated to such a worthy cause! turf for the start of the 2013-2014 season. The new Just Giving and BonarYarns This £400,000 project was therefore praised by surface was therefore laid during the 2013 summer Richard Holland as the installation was completed to the great satisfaction of the club’s managers. in 2013: “It’s just incredible. Having walked on it, Cardiff Blues Chief Executive Richard Holland said: it’s a softer surface than most park pitches are at this time of year. Having seen it every day and FIRST HIGH QUALITY This is very exciting news for all Cardiff Blues watched the project develop, it’s just remarkable”. ARTIFICIAL SOCCER supporters and indeed players in the region. FIELD DELIVERED IN URUGUAY SCHMITZ FOAM We are proud to announce the completion of the artificial turf installation at the Training Centre complex, Los Cespedes, belonging to the emblematic Uruguayan football club, National FC. This field is the first high-quality artificial soccer field in Uruguay. Because the soils in Uruguay are made of sticky clay, it’s very difficult to work with. Therefore, building the base construction was quite a challenge. Not only due to the soil and surrounding topography, but also due to the subtropical weather with non- stop rainy days. Despite these challenges, our collaborating partners (PSports Systems and Desso Sports Systems) managed to keep the most important goal in mind: quality above all. They delivered a beautiful even lawn with a ProPlay- Sport23D shock pad and perfect white markings. 6 ESTO QUARTERLY ESTO QUARTERLY 7 OPENED IN MEMORY OF STEFANO to the opening of the Cruyff Court in Como, the BORGONOVO spirit of Stefano will be even stronger with us.” TEN CATE THIOLON Cruyff said: “This is a very special day for me as well. I am happy to open the first Cruyff Court in opened together with Chantal Italy and it makes me particularly proud that this Borgonovo, wife of Stefano Borgonovo, and court is dedicated to Stefano. It might be that Fernando Ricksen, former striker of Glasgow 136.000 SQM Stefano tried to copy me as a kid. Rangers, the first Cruyff Court in Italy, which is dedicated to Stefano Borgonovo. The Cruyff Court Stefano Borgonovo in Como, Italy. This Stefano was an outstanding PROJECT IN BAKU Cruyff Court is a joined initiative of the Cruyff Foundation and the Borgonovo Foundation personality - on and off the and greatly supported by the UEFA. TenCate Grass supplies the with pitch. the synthetic turf for the Cruyff Courts, and is EUROPEAN TURF GROUP INSTALLS BIGGEST intensifying its cooperation in the I hope that with this teamwork between both SINGLE INSTALLATION and internationally with the Johan Cruyff Foundations and through this Cruyff Court in EUROPEAN TURF GROUP Foundation. Stefano’s name, we can generate attention to Solution provider ETG installs world’s biggest single turf project in Baku A year ago, former Milan and Fiorentina striker find a cure for this terrible disease.” For the Baku European Games 2015, the ETG group has produced and installed Borgonovo, who won the Champions League The Johan Cruyff Foundation was founded the staggering amount of 136.000 sqm in one single project. with Milan and earned three caps for the Italian by the legendary Johan Cruyff. The Cruyff national team, died aged 49 following an eight- Foundation is regarded as a major authority on One of the biggest ever projects on which the European Turf Group has year battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, sports for children – including disabled children excelled with product design, production, project management and the better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS). – and related community projects. A Cruyff Court installation of the specially designed synthetic turf. If Stefano Borgonovo was still alive today he is a modern alternative of the ancient green, The honorary president Mr Heydar Aliyev has inaugurated the facility two would describe himself as the happiest man on which one could find in a lot of neighbourhoods weeks ago and was impressed with complete shooting range facility to be earth. Not just because he would finally come and districts, but has over the years been used in the Baku European Games 2015, starting in June. sacrificed due to urbanization and expansion. to know the man he admired when he was a The process of turf production of installation was swift and done with the kid, but also because the idol of his childhood The local children get a good safe place where utmost flexibility and experience. has opened a Cruyff Court in the town where they can play sport and through the cooperation Stefano celebrated his first triumphs as a of the local council, corporations, schools, professional player. sport and football clubs and local businesses, “The ETG group is very proud to have been able to play a key role the Cruyff Court also has an important social in the success of this facility. We have worked very well with our “A dream comes true”, says his wife Chantal. “My function in the neighbourhood. local partners and are very proud to have lived up and exceeded the husband went crazy for Johan Cruyff. The Cruyff Courts are made of the durable demands and expectations during the installation process, where He admired him so much that he dedicated him TenCate XP Blade™. TenCate XP Blade™ does not weather conditions over the last months have been tough on times. a chapter of his autobiography. Even Stefano’s split, making it the right choice for intensively We pulled through and the inauguration was a big success.” football school has the orange colour in its used fields. In addition TenCate XP Blade™ is emblem as a tribute to Cruyff. He would have more resilient than regular tape yarns: instead Arnoud Fiolet loved to know Johan personally. I am extremely of lying flat like other tape yarns do, TenCate XP Managing partner of the European Turf Group happy and grateful to Johan because, thanks Blade™ twists due to play forming an attractive and well playable turf surface.

8 ESTO QUARTERLY ESTO QUARTERLY 9 SPORT & RECREATION: SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE TEN CATE THIOLON BONAR YARNS AND ACT GLOBAL TenCate is focusing on the growing need for sustainable facilities. FINALISTS FOR SPORTS TECHNOLOGY AWARDS protection of people and their working and living High-grade outdoor fabrics offer protection BONAR YARNS & FABRICS LTD environments: when we are on the move (In against sun, UV radiation, rain, fire, wind, snow transit), at home (In habitats), at work (At work) and unwelcome visibility. Synthetic turf saves on and when we are playing sports or enjoying time water consumption and maintenance, prevents Synthetic turf specialists considered for ‘Best When compared to traditional tufting techniques, out for recreation (During leisure). injuries and creates an even playing field. Technology Partnership’ this system offers overall enhanced performance, Bonar Yarns and Act Global were recently including consistent ball roll, superior tuft lock When it comes to leisure or free-time activities, The market for synthetic turf continues to and a resilient, non-directional turf pile. it's mainly a question of sport and recreation. grow worldwide, not only for sport but also for announced as finalists for the upcoming Sport TenCate serves this end market via four landscaping. The demand for high-grade fibres, Technology awards, as a result of the newly The completed pitch at Palmerston Park achieved market groups: TenCate Outdoor Fabrics and backing, infill and sports systems is picking up, developed and unique Queen of the South FIFA Two Star Certification, the highest mark of TenCate Grass, and to a more modest extent and more attention is being given to quality and Football Club surface. elite level performance. TenCate Advanced Composites and TenCate the 'look & feel' of landscaping projects. New The awards celebrate the best and most This is the second Sport Technology Award Geosynthetics. (woven or tufted) synthetic turf systems for top- innovative technological advancements nomination for Dundee based Bonar Yarns, as last There's a good chance that anyone who spends flight sport have set a new standard. throughout the sporting industry, and were year they won ‘Best Technology provider – under his or her free time camping, walking or playing Dutch professional football is expressing more inspired by technology’s increasingly important 2 m’. sport will come across TenCate materials. For the interest in synthetic turf. This interest is being role in sport. end market sport and recreation the material translated into a growing number of orders for “We’re pleased to partner with fellow innovators “We’re extremely honoured technology concern develops and produces synthetic turf systems and the XtraGrass™ system such as Bonar Yarns to continue raising the bar for synthetic turf (sport and landscaping) and of GreenFields for both professional and amateur safety, performance and durability of synthetic and proud to have been outdoor fabrics (camping tents and awnings), football. XtraGrass™ is a hybrid system, consisting turf systems,” said Chris Clapham, managing composite materials for sports articles, and of synthetic grass fibres and biodegradable director of Act Global. “We always focus on the shortlisted for this year’s geosynthetics for recreational purposes. fibres. XtraGrass™ is a patented, 100% recyclable meeting the needs of players and clubs first, Sport Technology Awards,” TenCate incorporates special characteristics synthetic turf system that can be tailored to fit and to be also recognized for an award is a great (functionalities) into these materials based on the any football ground. honour.” worldwide trends 'safety' and 'sustainability'. said Bryn Lee, Commercial Director of Bonar Bonar Yarns and Act Global, together developed Yarns. “It’s fantastic that we’re being recognised, Leisure activities and sports require safe and an advanced synthetic turf system which again, for our involvement with technology in would meet Queen of the South’s performance sport – it’s great for us as a company, our partner requirements, as well as satisfy international Act Global and the entire industry.” sporting and FIFA standards. The resulting FIRST TURF AND YARN MANUFACTURERS technology features a unique fibre blend using Winners of the Sports Technology Awards will be MN Ultra yarns, woven into an interlocked announced on March 27, in London. For more BUSINESS DIRECTORS CLUB backing. information on the awards, please visit the Sport Technology Awards The first Turf and Yarn Manufacturers business directors club took place on 16 June, . 42 director level delegates attended. This half day event included 4 hours of networking, lunch and presentations. Many new companies and faces attended their first ESTO event. Bryn Lee Chairman of The TURF and YARN Manufacturers Business Directors Club welcomed everyone and emphasized the importance of networking and the work ESTO was currently doing. The focus of the day was the newly launched ESTO Quality Landscape classification which will make a significant impact in the Landscape market of synthetic turf. This to ensure quality for buyers and consumers. 6 working group chairman also gave presentation on their recent work and progress, and ESTO executive chairman provided an overview of the latest developments, what’s coming up in ESTO including the benefits of joining. Bryn Lee closed the first ever Turf and Yarn Manufacturers business directors club.

10 ESTO QUARTERLY ESTO QUARTERLY 11 SUCCESSFUL DEVELOPMENT OF THE LISPORT XL LABOSPORT INTERNATIONAL

On January 27th and 28th, at our test centre in Lecco, Italy, LABOSPORT presented the LISPORT XL to the representatives of FIFA, World Rugby, Accredited Testing Laboratories and FIFA Preferred Producers for Synthetic Turf. Designed and developed by the LABOSPORT R&D team the LISPORT XL will become the reference test method for wear of synthetic turf from 2015. Since March 2015, two additional LISPORT XL WORLD CUP RECORDS ON are operating within the LABOSPORT Group, at the test centres of Le Mans, France and Hucknall, England. The successful development of the LISPORT XL confirms the leading position of LABOSPORT within the XTREME TURF AT MONTREAL sports surfaces testing and consulting industry OLYMPIC STADIUM BONAR YARNS & FABRICS LTD MAIDSTONE UNITED AND games to be played on synthetic turf. This is good news for Maidstone as they will be able to keep goalscorer in the tournament’s history, at age SYNTHETIC TURF IN ENGLAND their current playing surface while entering the Brazil’s Marta, Formiga break records in 37, with her first-half opener in her sixth World Maidstone United, a football club based in Football Conference next season. The club is Brazil win at Montreal. Cup appearance. View a highlight video from the Kent, UK, has just gained promotion to English currently growing and is foreseeing a sustainable record-breaking match here. football's Conference South while playing on a future after many ups and downs in the past, thanks notably to many benefits brought by their This year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup is the first Brazil currently sits top of Group E after first synthetic turf pith at their home ground. To add synthetic turf field. competition to feature synthetic turf throughout round of fixtures. We will see Brazil against Spain to that promotion, the club has also benefitted the entire tournament, enhancing playing on June 13 again playing on Xtreme Turf at from the Football Conference's decision to allow conditions and performance. With Act Global and Montreal Olympic Stadium. their partner Carpell Surfaces having supplied Congratulations to Marta, Formiga and all the and installed the artificial turf at Montreal players on an exciting tournament so far! Olympic Stadium – incorporating exclusive Bonar TOTAL PRESENTS ITS METALLOCENE-CATALYZED Yarns synthetic grass fibres – history has been Greatness is in the Detail POLYOLEFIN SOLUTIONS FOR ARTIFICIAL TURF & CARPET made. For more information visit: Act Global and Bonar YARNS AT THE 5TH WORLD CARPET CONGRES On June 9th two records were set. Yarns Blog TOTAL REFINING & CHEMICALS The Montreal Olympic Stadium features Act The first saw Brazil’s 2-0 win over Korea Republic Total presented its latest advances in metallocene-catalyzed PP and PE resins for turf & Global’s highly durable Xtreme Turf DX system, in the first round of the FIFA Women’s World Cup carpet yarn applications at the 5th World Carpet Congress, held in Gent, , on 28 & 29 which contains an exclusive fibre blend from 2015, with the second highlighting Brazil’s Marta May 2015. becoming the leading goal scorer in Women’s Bonar Yarns. The artificial turf has been expertly World Cup history – at 15 goals, with a powerful installed by Carpell Surfaces over a Schmitz Foam Our fibre application specialists explained how these Lumicene® PE resins enable the second-half penalty. She has scored 92 goals in ProPlay shock pad and finished with eco-friendly production of longer lasting sports fields and how Lumicene® PP resins allow producing 93 matches for her country, and is a five time infill.The stadium has passed stringent testing for high bulk carpet yarns that contribute to better indoor air quality and a more equal carpet Women’s World Player of the Year Winner. elite level FIFA Two Star certification. Find more aspect. For more information contact us at [email protected]. information on the Montreal Olympic Stadium Teammate Formiga became the oldest install.

12 ESTO QUARTERLY ESTO QUARTERLY 13 EXPAND HORIZONS www.tencategrass.com

6, Avenue E. Van Nieuwenhuyse Dates for diary 2015 B - 1160 September 14th – ESTO Technical Committee, Amsterdam www.theesto.com September 15-16th – ESTO Congress- Rome E: [email protected] October 28th – ESTO BIG TURF NETWORKING PARTY and AWARDS T: +32 2 676 74 72 F: +32 2 676 74 74 @TheESTO