artificial turf - Host City

England Rugby facility to be kitted out by SIS Pitches

The England Rugby Union team first trained at Pennyhill Park in the run up to the 2003 Rugby World Cup

SIS Pitches has received an order to install a new indoor rugby training pitch for England Rugby Union. 

The facility at the prestigious Pennyhill Park Hotel in Surrey, UK is the official training base for the England Rugby Union senior team, who first used the facilities in the run up to the Rugby World Cup in 2003. 

Pennyhill Park is located just 40 minutes from the national stadium at Twickenham. The squad is residing and training at the hotel before all international fixtures for the next four years. 

The new pitch will use the SIS Rugger surfacing system that SIS Pitches installed at Allianz Park, home of Saracens Rugby Club in 2013. Other installations include Newcastle Falcons and Durham University. 

The installation at Pennyhill includes the base layer, shockpad and surface and is due to commence in June 2014.

According to SIS Pitches, SIS Rugger has proven durability and long lasting playing characteristics even after intensive use, and is easier to maintain than traditional fibrillated surfaces.

“The contract was won despite keen interest from other suppliers and we are delighted to have been selected for this prestigious project,” said Steve Spaven, Director of Sales at SIS Pitches.

 

SMG takes sports surface care to next level with AR

Augmented reality is an extremely useful tool for service assistance (Photo: SMG)

[Source: SMG] SMG launched a rocket with the introduction of AR (Augmented Reality) in 2021, once again distinguishing itself as a pacesetter in the industry.

And now the company is igniting the second stage of this future-oriented application, which will make technical support much easier in the future.

Excellent service is not based on standards, but on the customer's individual requirements, as CEO Tobias Owegeser explains. "Our intention is to be there for customers with a complete full service as long as they use our products. And that's usually decades.”

SMG customers have always appreciated the high availability of original SMG spare parts across the entire range of machines. And now they also benefit from the use of "augmented reality". This not only boosts the perception of reality with computer support, but also represents an extremely useful tool for service assistance that is self-explanatory.

The example of the TurfCare TCA1400 shows how SMG supports its customers and creates real added value. The new AR application, instruction manual video and brochure provides even more information about the product. Whether in person on site, online or via the service hotline, service experts from SMG can now train even more clearly, and quickly clarify problems or uncertainties. And customers can optimize their current use of the TCA with SMG Service 4.0.

For more information visit: www.smg-machines.com

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9J0lFh_cm2k

AR: https://smg-gmbh.to/turfcare_tca1400

Brochure: https://www.smg-gmbh.de/uploads/attachment/translation/download/58/SMG_Taktik-und-Technik-2022-EN-web.pdf

Plastic tactics: how to keep infill out of the environment

SMG’s TurfCare TCA1400 is a ground driven, tow-behind device for the cleaning and care of artificial turf

As awareness of plastic pollution grows, it is more important than ever to handle machines that install, maintain and care for synthetic turf correctly to avoid discharge of filling granules into the environment.

 

Installation

Exact and precise installation is crucial, using machines with orbital oscillating brush systems that erect the artificial turf fibre while incorporating filling material, which can be dosed via outlet systems in the required kg/m2.

This procedure ensures the infill material is filled to an even level, to support and stabilise artificial turf fibre while preventing any incorrectly applied filling material being discharged by environmental influences or during play.

When installed correctly, there is no need to refill the system later, with the risk of overfilling that brings.

 

Regular Maintenance

SMG recommends a weekly and demand-based removal of coarse dirt, such as stones and leaves. This should be done using a rotary brush with an adjustable vibrating screen to receive overlying coarse dirt and the top layer of the filling material. Simultaneously, dirt and filling material should be separated, followed by metered return of the filling material on the artificial turf.

A constant amount of infill material in the sieve is a decisive factor for returning it to areas that have become depleted by game activity.

Regularly following our guidelines and the corresponding driving tactics ensures artificial turf fibre is supported at a uniform height by filling material, lengthens the service life of the artificial turf system and prevents discharge of filling granules into the environment.

 

Advanced Maintenance: Decompaction

Filling material should be loosened and levelled monthly using tow-behind devices with flexible and adjustable prongs to stabilise artificial turf fibres, keep them upright and prevent infill from being discharged into the environment. This also prevents compaction and drastically reduces or eliminates the amount of material for refilling.

SMG guarantees a care process that ensures eroded polymer filling granules can be extracted and properly disposed of. Annual deep cleaning is carried out by with a rotary brush with a sieve function to clean even deeper layers of the filling material.

The collected litter material is spread evenly after being separated from fine dust, microparticles, worn fibres and other contaminants using a filter element with a separation efficiency of more than 98 per cent at 4 micrometres.

 

Repatriation

Filling material can reach the side of the pitch through play operation, incorrect care or adverse weather. To prevent it from being carried into the environment, the filling material must be returned to the pitch using rotary brushes with a sieve function.

A constant amount of infill material in the sieve insert is the deciding factor in returning infill material into the areas "unfilled" by the game activity. The sieve insert acts as a material reservoir during this care process. Alternatively, sweeping brushes can be used, but only if they are adjustable in their working width.

 

For more information on our guidelines please contact SMG we are looking forward to assisting you with details

https://www.smg-gmbh.de/en/

Bayern talent factory with sports surfaces from Polytan

Talented young players at FC Bayern Munich climb up the fitness hill on premium synthetic turf – only the steps consist of LigaGrass Pro, a sand-filled all-round system with crimped stalks

A 70 million euro state-of-the-art football academy has been built on the site of a former barracks within sight of the Allianz Arena in the north of Munich. Polytan was in on the action as the fitter of choice: the Burgheim-based sports surface specialist laid around 22,000 square metres of synthetic turf and synthetic surfaces outside – with 20,000 square metres consisting of the LigaTurf RS Pro II CoolPlus premium synthetic turf system with top quality Infill Bionic Fibre infill granules.

Great importance is attached to the development of young talent in Munich: the ultra-modern sports facilities on the club's 30-hectare site include a sports hall, a ground with three stands for 2,500 spectators, a basketball court, a beach soccer pitch, fitness/technique/coordination areas, mini pitches, a circular track and seven full-size pitches. This unique offering is rounded off by the academy for 35 talented junior players, the club house, a cafeteria, a medical practice and much more besides.

At the request of the German record-holders, sports surface systems from Polytan were installed over an area of around 22,000 square metres on the open-air site, with synthetic turf from Polytan being laid on two full-size pitches, two mini pitches and the fitness/technique/coordination area. In addition, Polytan synthetic surfaces were the ideal choice for the basketball court and the circular track: the basketball court was fitted out with the hard-wearing PolyPlay S all-round surface, while the Rekortan M professional sports surfacing system ensures that the running track is suitable for competitions. Both areas have been laid in classic brick red, the usual colour of choice in professional facilities used for competitive events.

When it came to the synthetic turf, FC Bayern Munich opted for the LigaTurf RS Pro II CoolPlus system with Infill Bionic Fibre infill granules, which currently represents state-of-the-art technology in professional football.

Polytan had already been awarded the contract for the synthetic pitches at the training ground on Säbener Strasse by the German record-holders back in 2009 and 2011. Thomas Hanke, the Sales Director for Germany at Poly- tan, attributes the fact that the club has again opted for premium products by the Burgheim-based sports surface specialist to the continuous advances in its systems.

"In combination with the elastic base layer, which provides for long-lasting, optimum force reduction, the LigaTurf RS Pro II CoolPlus synthetic turf system is ideal for the high demands placed on it by FC Bayern Munich. The highly resilient smooth filaments are similar to real blades of grass and yet they provide consistently good playing qualities, even when the weather is cold and wet. There is no need to close the pitches, and the turf heating system means that training sessions can run continuously, even if temperatures fall below freezing or there is a bit of snow."

The state-of-the-art Infill Bionic Fibre granules contribute to even better playing qualities and help to reduce the risk of injury to players. The EPDM granules are of an irregular shape, in contrast to the angular, smooth-cut form of conventional infill. The result is a softer and naturally springy surface.

Thomas Hanke emphasises yet another advantage: "The organic structure of the infill granules reduces what is known as ‘splash’, when material sprays up in other words, and duelling and tackling are possible to almost the same extent as on real grass."

Furthermore, stalks of grass in two shades of green and the green infill granules give the turf a fresh, natural look which lasts all year round. The playing field is prevented from heating up excessively on hot summer days by Polytan's patented CoolPlus technology, which incorporates UV-reflective pigments into the filaments.

 

This article first appeared in the Summer 2018 Issue of Host City magazine

How Polytan takes the ice and snow out of winter

It has been possible to play on the hockey pitch in Grünwald leisure park all year round since autumn 2015 – thanks to a turf heating system supplied from renewable energy sources (Photo credit: Polytan)

A geothermal power plant in the south Bavarian region of Laufzorn has been supplying homes, businesses, schools and kindergartens in the municipality of Grünwald with renewable thermal energy since October 2011. An indoor swimming pool was added to the Grünwald leisure park in December 2012, followed by a heatable synthetic hockey pitch from Polytan in September 2015.

What's remarkable here is the fact that the swimming pool is heated by the return flow of the 120°C geothermal water from Laufzorn and it is actually possible to supply half the heating for the hockey turf from the "return flow of the return flow".

Located to the south of Munich, the Grünwald leisure park is set in rambling grounds dotted with trees and extends over an area of 120,000 m². The wide range of sport and leisure facilities is suitable for young and old, elite and amateur athletes alike. And the site is steeped in history for football fans: Sepp Herberger coached the winners of the 1954 World Cup in Sportschule Grünwald, which was founded in 1950.

This modern facility has had a synthetic pitch since 1992. It underwent extensive renovation in 2003, but was again showing signs of age twelve years later.

"The surface of the pitch had been badly affected by heavy use and frequent snow shovelling in winter," says Jörn Verleger, the manager of Grünwald leisure park.

"During renovation work, the municipality of Grünwald, which owns the facility, decided not only to install a turf heating system, but also to replace the dilapidated hockey hut with a modern new building, complete with an area for spectators and public toilets."

The 100 x 66 m synthetic playing field was mainly used by the members of the hockey and football sections of TSV Grünwald sports club – and if additional leasing to other private teams is taken into account, the pitch is used for more than 1,400 hours every year.

Such intensive use calls for a high-quality and hardwearing synthetic turf system. The local authority opted for a Poligras Mega CoolPlus, an unfilled professional hockey turf from Polytan whose compact and even surface is conducive to fast and accurate play. The heating system beneath the synthetic turf comes from AST Eis- u. Solartechnik.

A brine-conducted heating system has been installed and functions extremely efficiently owing to its low flow temperature (approx. 24°C), quick response times and a 50% reduction in thermal heat loss. The high efficiency can be attributed to the AST heating mats, which are located directly underneath the elastic layer. Similar commercially available piping systems are located around 100 mm deeper in the ground and therefore have considerably higher heat losses.

An AST heating mat is 180 mm wide and consists of four adjacent flexible EPDM rubber tubes connected by fixed links. The heating mats are laid on a thin layer of asphalt in conformity with DIN standards and their individual tubes are connected to a collector pipe. The energy is provided by a fluid which is pumped through the piping mat system, thus releasing an even supply of heat into the surroundings. It is warmed up by a heat exchanger that transmits the energy from any heat source to the brine fill.

With an unfilled hockey turf like the one in Grünwald leisure park, a mixture of quartz sand and gravel must be placed between the heating mats and the elastic layer in order to level out any differences in height between the individual layers. Completely level playing surfaces are essential for hockey pitches in particular in order to ensure that the ball does not "bounce". AST synthetic turf heating systems are regulated by means of a heating control system and a slope sensor and have an approximate lifespan of 15-20 years. Maintenance costs are low.

The heat for the turf in Grünwald leisure park is supplied by a Zortström distributor with different temperature zones. As well as the synthetic pitch, it also supplies the existing changing rooms at the ice-skating rink, the new hockey hut and a snow melt pit with thermal heat. Half of the energy (projection for the whole year) comes from a cooling system at the ice rink, whilst the other half comes from the 40°C return flow of the return flow of the geothermal energy used in the swimming pool.

By using these two energy sources, therefore, the municipality incurs no additional energy costs for heating the turf. In a final cost-benefit calculation, this means that the enhanced lifespan of the synthetic turf, which is 5-10 years longer, offsets the additional costs of the turf heating system. There is also a hefty reduction in personnel and repair costs – and not only can the pitch be used more often during the winter months, it also offers improved playing qualities.

The chemistry behind the Rio 2016 Olympics

 Rio 2016’s hockey competition at the Deodoro Park is being played on a high performance innovative synthetic turf system from Dow

As the world convenes in Brazil for the excitement of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: Dow), the Official Chemistry Company of the Olympic Games and Official Carbon Partner of Rio 2016, is proud to provide innovative, science-based solutions for one of the most respected and prestigious global events. Celebrating 60 years of presence in the region, Dow is involved in more than 20 projects connected to the Games, spanning from field-of-play technologies to venue construction, transportation, city infrastructure, and carbon mitigation.

“With our knowledge and broad portfolio of solutions, Dow is demonstrating how science can power the world of sports,” said Louis A. Vega, Dow global vice president of Olympic & Sports Solutions. “Our technologies are present in all key competition clusters for the Rio 2016 Games, as well as the city’s extended infrastructure. As the Official Chemistry Company of the Olympic Games, we are able to address the needs of organizers, athletes, media and spectators in order to help make the Rio 2016 Games a success.”

With solutions incorporated throughout numerous Olympic venues, Dow is proud to mark 60 years of operation in Brazil and further expand its business in a highly strategic and important region.

Field-of-Play Technologies

  • Rio 2016’s hockey competition at the Deodoro Park is being played on a high performance innovative synthetic turf system which uses DOWLEX™ linear low density polyethylene resins in the yarns as well as Dow’s polyurethanes technologies for the backing of the carpet.
  • Dow Plastic resins were utilized in the pipes from the draining and irrigation system underneath the natural grass pitch of Maracanã stadium, venue of the Opening and Closing ceremonies and key football matches. Additionally, Dow technologies were used in flooring applications and waterproofing systems for concrete and metal structures within the stadium.

Athletes’ Village

  • Construction chemicals and paints formulated with coating technologies from Dow were used in buildings in the Athletes’ Village to provide beautiful, long-lasting protection and finishing.
  • The 28 modular water tanks will help provide a reliable water supply system for athletes, coaches, officials and referees participating in the Games were manufactured with resins from Dow’s Propylene Glycol.
  • More sustainable waterborne acrylic epoxy road markings were applied on bike lanes inside and around the Village in the neighborhood of Barra da Tijuca, as well as at the iconic Copacabana beach.
  • Athletes from 200+ countries competing in Rio will sleep on comfortable, mattresses made with polyurethane technology from Dow.

Olympic Park

  • Dow Wire and Cable technologies provide protection and durability to the energy and data cables installed at venues including the Olympic Tennis Centre, Olympic Aquatics Stadium and the Main Press Centre/International Broadcast Centre (MPC/IBC) complex, where media tell the stories of Rio 2016 to billions of fans.
  • The IBC building also features Dow technologies in the Exterior Insulation and Finishing Systems (EIFS) panels of the building façade. This innovative system enabled completion of the façade in 30 days, while standard technologies take up to six months to be installed.

Infrastructure solutions in and around Rio

  • The roof at the city’s novel Museum of Tomorrow (Museu do Amanhã) is protected with 100% acrylic resin to provide waterproofing and exterior durability to this iconic structure. In addition, the reflective roof helps keep the building up to five degrees cooler.
  • Flooring solutions and polyurethane insulation panels from Dow were utilized in the major renovation that took place at Viracopos International Airport in Campinas, São Paulo, one of the main cargo transportation hubs for the Games.
  • On the most important road connecting Rio to São Paulo, Rodovia Presidente Dutra, road marking solutions based on Dow’s FASTRACK™ coatings technologies provide reliable pavement markings.
  • DLP™ and WALOCEL™ solutions for adhesive mortar were utilized in some of Rio's new hotels, as well as in the Olympic Park and Athletes' Village.

“From infrastructure solutions to an innovative carbon mitigation program, we are excited to showcase our technologies in Brazil and share our successes with our customers and partners on a global stage,” said Fabian Gil, president of Dow Latin America. “Rio 2016 marks the 60th anniversary of Dow Brazil and also inaugurates a new chapter of meaningful collaborations and business success for the Company across the region.”


This article was contributed by Dow. For more information on their artificial turf at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, visit www.dow.com/artificialturfsolutions/rio

Made for all sports

artifical turf

Launched at FSB Cologne under the title “Made for Sports”, a new range of adhesives from Stauf is the end result of a comprehensive research programme on technology for sports flooring.

Stauf researched suitable bonding technologies for various sports flooring, for indoor and outdoor use. The focus was on the durability, safety and resilience of composite systems, combining special adhesives and sports flooring.

In a number of different tests, Stauf’s sports flooring adhesives were subjected to varying thermal and climatic conditions and extreme mechanical stress in order to be optimised accordingly.

The end result is not a “one-size-fits-all” recipe for sports flooring, but a line of products adapted to suit the specific characteristics and demands of differing indoor and outdoor sports flooring systems. In conjunction with professional technical consulting, Stauf can also match and modify adhesive systems for specific on-site conditions.

“Made for Sports” is not without precedent: STAUF synthetic turf bonding has already proven its safety and reliability credentials in leading global stadiums. The company has simply developed a complete range of products based on this successful predecessor.

The new range comprises adhesive systems and accessories for installing various types of flooring for indoor and outdoor sports facilities and for synthetic turf. Stauf is also extending its product range in the indoor sports sector with special adhesives for impact protection walls and ceiling liners.

“Very low emission”
The Siegerland family-owned company sets high standards for all its product developments. As well as quality and lasting reliability, a primary concern for Stauf is protecting health and environment.

For this reason, most of Stauf’s products are classified as “very low emission” under Emicode (EC I or EC I PLUS) – the trademarkprotected mark for the classification of low emission flooring installation products. The mark is awarded by the Association for the Control of Emissions in Products for Flooring Installation, Adhesives and Building Materials (GEV) for solvent-free, low emission products.