The Turf Solutions Newsletter. Improving the Game

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1 F S B S P E C I A L October 2007 The Turf Solutions Newsletter Improving the Game Welcome to Dow s first Turf Solutions newsletter aimed at Dow s business partners and all those involved in the artificial turf industry. Published twice-yearly, the newsletter wants to keep readers informed of the latest trends, technology developments and product innovations within Dow and the artificial turf industry. To subscribe to our newsletter, log on to How Science & Technology Are Improving the World of Sport by Peter Mackey, Business Development Manager for Europe, Dow Polyurethane Artificial Turf Systems Artificial turf has developed significantly over the last four decades thanks to advances in technology which have revolutionised the quality of artificial playing surfaces. The latest generation of artificial turfs has vastly improved in softness, resiliency and shock absorption with playing characteristics similar to natural grass. Science has played an important role by generating a wealth of data regarding the human body in motion and providing a better understanding of the interaction between the ball, the players and the pitch surface. For decades, soccer players had to cope without suitable artificial turf pitches and had to adapt their games to a surface more suited to hockey or tennis. Today, artificial turf surfaces can be specially designed to offer the playing characteristics of natural grass in terms of ball-surface and player-surface behaviour, combined with the known benefits of artificial surfaces: consistency of play, durability and low maintenance. The Evolution of Artificial Turf In Sport Although artificial turf was first developed in the late 1960s in America, it was to take another decade before it reached Europe with the socalled second generation turf. It proved suitable for sports such as hockey as the polyamide/nylon material provided a flatter surface and the sand spread between the fibres created firmness and stability. But for soccer, sliding tackles resulted in abrasion injuries from the sand infill. It would take until the late 1990s for advances in technology to develop a surface suitable for this sport. The second half of the 90s witnessed the development of the third generation of synthetic turf a radical improvement upon previous turf surfaces in terms of player safety and game consistency. The carpet usually made of polypropylene was replaced with polyethylene, which proved softer and much less abrasive to the skin. This resulted in widespread acceptance of artificial turf leading to the boom in artificial playing surfaces in American Football and soccer, followed soon after in rugby. This decade saw artificial turfs evolve further with sand infill being replaced by rubber. Come Play the Game with Dow at FSB Hall Stand 061-N60 Three good reasons to visit us: 1. Get answers to business needs Whether you require playing surfaces for soccer, rugby, hockey, golf or a multi-purpose facility, Dow s artificial turf solutions team will assist you to get answers to your business needs and help to create tailor-made solutions. 2. Match playing fields to players needs Find out how Dow s total turf system approach, combined with its latest product developments and technology innovations, can help to enhance your artificial turf systems outperform and deliver results that may considerably improve players expectations. 3. Live the Turf Experience Take a stroll down the Dow Turf Walk at our stand and see how all the Dow components come together to help create high-performance artificial turf systems. From soccer to hockey, you ll be able to touch and feel a variety of Dow products for artificial turf. continues on page 2 Improving The Game The Turf Solutions Newsletter Page

2 News from the Turf Team at FSB continued from page 1 This provided a lighter and springy surface and provided the bounce that a player needs when running. The rubber granules are generally made from recycled rubber and ground down into small particles. Dow s specialist turf team is constantly creating bespoke solutions for long-lasting and high performance artificial turf systems providing compatible combinations of raw materials for yarn, infill, backing and shock absorption. Evolving to and Beyond 4G Systems Today we are in the early development cycle of fourth generation (4G) artificial turf systems: softer, stronger fibres, new infill and non-infill systems and increased performance, sustainability and environmental responsibility. Professional sport associations, as well as international and national governing bodies, now recognise the value of artificial turf, and the support of international sports associations such as Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) have helped change perceptions of artificial turf amongst professional sports people, regulatory bodies and the public at large. As the industry continues to evolve to and beyond fourth generation systems, raw material suppliers like Dow have to take an increasingly broad view of where to apply their research, processing and market development skills and knowledge. At Dow this resulted in a total systems approach based on the convergence of its four businesses involved with artificial turf - Base Plastics, Specialty Plastics & Elastomers, Polyurethane (PU) Systems and Latex. Dow s goal is to combine its business and communications know-how with its R&D and technical experience across all of the elements of the artificial turf business to become a strong and efficient business partner. This integrated, systemwide approach also helps to unify the industry by connecting all of the value chains from each of the turf businesses. At FSB, Dow Artificial Turf Solutions is highlighting a number of innovations and developments: An enhanced polyethylene resin specifically designed and produced for highperformance artificial turf systems. Based on the succesful DOWLEX polyethylene resin design, the new grade provides artificial grass yarn producers with a single resin with the triple combination of high performance, easy processability, and versatility of application use. A range of technology developments for infill enabled by Dow polymers: a rubber coated sand, result of a co-development between PV Sand and Dow; a non-vulcanized thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) compound from GoldenPlast; two infill products improving standards of artificial turf pitches and bonded surfaces developed by Rosehill Polymers and Dow. Recent relationships in Polyurethane backing systems: Lano Sport (Belgium), Domenech Hermanos (Spain) and Standard Carpets (United Arab Emirates) have teamed up with Dow to produce a next generation of high-performance artificial turf systems with Dow ENFORCER Sport backings. Desso Sports Systems use Dow s ENHANCER polyurethane systems to produce artificial turf with an attached polyurethane shock pad. Development work in Latex backing systems: ongoing development work for a next generation of higher solids S/B latexes specially designed for artificial turf backings. The enhanced product is expected to have all the benefits of DL 552, the recognised latex industry standard for this application, as well as allow an increased customer production line speed. The launch of a System Design Center that helps system designers and manufacturers understand the influence of polymer choice, yarn design and processing techniques on playing characteristics such as vertical ball rebound, angle ball rebound, ball roll and skin abrasion, as well as the mechanical properties such as skin-to-surface friction, rotational resistance, stability and durability of the grass product. Page Improving The Game The Turf Solutions Newsletter

3 Turf Market Overview In 2006, the global market for artificial turf was 71 million square meters with Europe accounting for 33 million square meters the biggest single market. North America is presently 16 million square meters, but double figure growth rates are forecasted. The rest of the world, most notably China, is also experiencing high levels of growth, and experts predict the global market will soon exceed 100 million square meters. Major installations for contact sports, e.g. for soccer, American Football and rugby, account for 51% of the global market. The popularity of artificial turf in these sports continues to grow thanks to new advances and technological developments in playing surfaces. Further proof that playing on artificial turf is gaining acceptance is illustrated by FIFA, which is considering whether matches at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa should be played on artificial turf. Since the 1970s, hockey has been the driving force for the installation of artificial pitches. Today, this sport registers 5% of the total market and the International Hockey Federation (FIH) now mandates all international field hockey competitions be played on artificial turf. Tennis sector is around 4% of the total market. The International Tennis Federation launched the court surface classification scheme in 2000 as part of an assessment procedure for each surface product to determine if it is a slow, medium or fast surface. The scheme has been devised as part of an international initiative to standardize the equipment used in tennis. Western/Eastern Europe 33 Market split by region (millions of m 2 ) India, Middle East and Africa 7 China 7.2 Rest of Pacific 5.8 USA 16.1 Source: AMI, Intercontuft and Dow generated data Latin America 2.1 The use of artificial turf surfaces for multisports areas is increasingly popular with sports clubs, schools, colleges and local communities where different sports need to be played on the same pitch. In this market segment, financial considerations, space availability, durability characteristics and player safety criteria often dictate the choice of the turf system. The leisure market (or Do It Yourself - DIY) is the next largest segment after the contact sports comprising 33% of the market. This sector includes residential grass applications, grass around pools, decking, patios, etc. and is usually served by turf systems of lower cost and quality. Synthetic turf installations by application 33% Leisure/DIY 2% Tennis 4% Other Sports 5% Hockey 5% Landscaping Source: AMI, Intercontuft and Dow generated data 51% Contact Sports Golf continues to grow across Europe. It is estimated that throughout the world there are 60 million golfers and 30,000 golf courses. Within the past 10 years the number of players in Europe has grown by an average of 7% while the number of golf courses has risen by an average of 5% per year. The use of artificial turf in golf is today limited to indoor courses and outdoor golf practice facilities, but technology in the artificial turf industry has advanced to the point that many professional golfers are beginning to install artificial turf putting greens and chipping areas in their back yards. Landscaping accounts for 5% of the total market, and this segment includes commercial grass for airports, hotels, golf courses and municipal uses. Sometimes the grass systems installed for commercial landscaping can be very high quality and more expensive than artificial grass for contact sports. This sector is enjoying growth rates of around 100% per annum. Improving The Game The Turf Solutions Newsletter Page

4 The Dynamics Of An Artificial Pitch by Esther Brummelhuis, TenCate Thiolon Third generation synthetic turf pitch is now in a class of its own and cannot be compared with the earlier generations. But to really understand how artificial turf has been revolutionised, we need to look into the dynamics of the structure. An artificial football pitch is divided into a substructure and superstructure. The substructure consists of the drainage, the base, a sport-technical layer and a geotextile membrane. The visible part of the pitch, the superstructure, consists of the grass carpet and the infill. Below is a brief outline. Drainage This consists of underground pipes that drain off surplus water as soon as the groundwater level rises, preventing the artificial pitch from flooding. Base A good stable and suitable base is extremely important for the overall quality of the pitch and its lifespan. The advantage of a well-planned base is that it does not have to be rebuilt each time the turf itself is replaced. Sport-Technical Layer This affects the way the ball behaves and the players movements on the pitch. A good sporttechnical layer prevents bumps in the pitch and helps to prevent injuries. Geosynthetic Textile (commonly known as Geotextile) This membrane protects the backing of the grass carpet, whilst at the same time ensuring an even spread of the load so the underlying layers do not deform during later installation works and sport activities. Grass Carpet The grass carpet and the infill together determine the playing properties of the pitch to a large extent. You only have to think of the number of player-field and player-ball interactions, such as sliding tackles, the grip of the boots and the roll of the ball. Infill Material The purpose of the infill is first to weigh down the grass carpet to ensure that it stays in position and, second, to provide a surface that the studs of the players football boots can sink into. This prevents damage to the grass carpet and prevents the players from suffering joint injuries. The combination of grass carpet and infill is largely responsible for how comfortable the pitch is to play on. It affects boot grip, the behaviour of the ball and properties, such as shock absorbency and energy restitution. We have certainly come a long way with synthetic turf, particularly in the last decade. But we are constantly working on improving the system, and there is certainly a lot more techniques and developments to emerge within the industry. TenCate Thiolon is a global leader in synthetic turf fibers and components. Dow s Artificial Turf Solutions at a Glance Product Yarn Infill Backing Shock Absorption AFFINITY Polyolefin Plastomers (POPs) DOWLEX Polyethylene Resins ELITE Enhanced Polyethylene Resins ENFORCER Sport Polyurethane Systems ENGAGE Polyolefin Elastomers ENHANCER Sport Polyurethane Foams LATEX DL552 VORAMER Polyurethande Binders Page 4 Improving The Game The Turf Solutions Newsletter

5 Dow Artificial Turf Solutions: Your Partner in Turf Systems Development Interview with Filip Tauson, Global Market Manager, Specialty Plastics & Elastomers Q. What is Dow s history in the artificial turf market? A. Dow is today a leading raw material supplier of chemicals and plastics for artificial turf components. We have been in business for more than 100 years helping diverse industries from food producers to car makers improve their profitability and grow their businesses by helping to solve process problems and improving end-use performance. To do so, Dow invests $1 billion a year in R&D and our recent breakthrough work in the area of catalysis and process technologies in the field of polyolefins and thermoset systems have started to be applied to sports flooring applications. This shows that polymer design, for example in the field of elastomers, is feeding through into areas such as shock absorption, skin protection and loose infill. Through its advanced work around the world, Dow has a significant track record in performance modelling that benefits all players in the artificial turf value chain, from system designers to groundsmen and players. Q. What is the thinking behind Dow s total system approach? A. Our total systems approach is Dow s business approach to the turf market based on the convergence of our four businesses relating to artificial turf Base Plastics, Specialty Plastics & Elastomers, Polyurethane (PU) Systems and Latex. Our aim is to create a specialist turf team that can advise and support business partners in creating tailor-made solutions for long-lasting and high performance artificial turf systems, offering compatible combinations of raw materials for yarn, infill, backing and shock absorption, whether they require playing surfaces for football, golf, rugby, hockey or a town s recreation ground. Ultimately, the role of a specialist resin supplier like Dow is to take a holistic approach to how we can improve the total experience for the various players in the value chain and apply breakthrough technologies from other markets to the needs of the artificial turf industry. Q. Looking ahead, what would you say is a key challenge for the industry? A. The last decade was characterised by rapid evolution of the technologies in the system. As the market moves to fourth generation pitches, one cannot, for example, just think about improving shock absorption, or reducing friction burns, in isolation. We have to think about implications, consequences and outcomes right through the lifecycle of a pitch, from the production and processing stages to the safety of the players and their ability to perform at their highest levels of skill, the robustness and ease-of-maintenance of the pitches, the end-of-life issues, and ultimately to how these changes and developments will effect the certification and standards bodies. The ability to predict how an artificial turf system will respond to changes in specific components and the way in which they are combined is becoming increasingly important for the creation of longlasting, environmentally friendly, high performance systems. The challenge to the industry comes from recognising that the ability to optimise each of these performance criteria will come not from random trial and error attempts to improve one dimension, but from a truly integrated, system-wide approach. This is becoming particularly critical, as the recommended performance criteria from bodies such as FIFA are now becoming enshrined in the standards and certification systems that are being developing by the various sporting governing bodies. With its complementary and closely integrated portfolio of materials and technologies, Dow s artificial turf solutions team can help specifiers and architects make an appropriate decision on every component of artificial turf. Improving The Game The Turf Solutions Newsletter Page

6 Case Study Project Name: Ikast Stadion Project Location: Ikast, Denmark Project Partners: Fletco (tufter), Foamtex (backing coater), PV Sand (infill supplier), Jene Sport (installer) in cooperation with Virklund Sport Total Turf Amount: 7,500 sq metres Artificial Turf Team Helps Danish Pro Football Club Experience Best Ever Artificial Turf Artificial turf pitches have long been plagued by concerns about quality of play and safety. This has slowed their acceptance as playing surfaces that are often better than natural grass pitches and obscured the benefits they deliver, such as consistency of play, durability and low maintenance. This was precisely the challenge facing facility managers at Ikast Stadion in Denmark. With the rising success of their football club, they wanted to improve their pitch and at the same time enhance the performance of their players. Ikast Stadion is the training ground for FC Midtjylland Wolves who after their first appearance in the Danish Superliga top division in 2000 soon secured their status as a leading national club. FC Midtjylland recently qualified for UEFA Cup and the national Royal League. Ikast Stadion is a modern, multi-use indoor stadium and its average usage rate of five hours a day in both summer and winter seasons soon exceeded the limits of its artificial turf pitch, which no longer met players requirements. In 2007 heavy use of the pitch meant it had to be replaced. The stadium turned to one of Denmark s leading floor covering manufacturer, Fletco, for a state-of-the-art artificial turf that would meet its demands. Our challenge was to improve some characteristics of our artificial turf system to provide a pitch that would better respond to players needs in terms of comfort, safety and performance, recall Fletco s owners - brothers Brian, Bent and Benny Jensen. This design objective resulted in combined effort between value chain partners: Fletco (the tufter), Foamtex (the backing coater), PV Sand (the infill supplier), Jene Sport (the installer) in cooperation with Virklund Sport and Dow s Artificial Turf Solutions team. Dow was the natural partner to advise us on solutions that would enhance the processing and performance of our artificial turf system, explain the Jensen brothers. Achieving acceptable performance with an artificial turf pitch means thinking beyond merely improving yarn and shock absorption or reducing friction burns, explains Filip Tauson, Global Market Manager, Specialty Plastics & Elastomers at Dow. The entire system needs to be approached from the user s perspective, and Dow is able to advise designers on how individual applications within a system perform together. In the Ikast project, cooperation between all application producers was the key to finding a solution that address players requirements. Claus Steinlein, Academy Manager at FC Midtjylland, notes how impressed his team was by the new pitch: The players have all had experiences with previous generations of artificial turf pitches and were generally critical about performance and safety. They said the new pitch was the best one they have ever played on, because it so closely resembles a natural turf. Plus, the pitch is odourless and the colour looks natural. Significant differences have also been reported in ball performance, as FC Midtjylland s winger Page Improving The Game The Turf Solutions Newsletter

7 and Danish national football team player, Dennis Soerensen explains: The ball roll is very good and ball bounce is perfect. The team has also found that the infill appears to move when the ball makes contact with the surface. This is particularly important when playing, as the ball reacts more naturally. A rubber coated sand infill was used to provide a natural playing experience and ball reaction. Flexsand Action is a new infill that integrates sand and rubber in one component, explains Anders West, Managing Director at PV Sand. Compared to other infill materials, the shock absorption is more natural as the infill moves under impact. Most current infill systems work like a spring, and bounce back up at players when running; the density of this infill makes it stay in the carpet. The end result is a natural playing experience in terms of ball-player interaction characteristics. We were all surprised to see how well the turf performs on foot torque, perhaps even too well. The grip on the studs is excellent, allowing for natural reactions and movements, comments Anders Rasmussen, the team s goalkeeper. I was particularly pleased with the regular ball rebound; this is critical for a goalkeeper and has been a traditional shortfall of pitches I have experienced in the past. Peter Mackey, Business Development Manager at Dow s Polyurethane Artificial Turf Systems, comments: A polyurethane backing was chosen as it was decided that the stadium should go for the highest specification possible. In addition, the PU process enabled the turf to be produced in less than half the time normally expected. In fact, the turf was taken directly from the end of the line and was installed a few hours after coating! The development, installation and use of the Ikast indoor pitch has proven that an artificial turf system can address the needs of all those involved. The end result met players expectations, changed preconceived ideas regarding artificial surfaces and was such a success that the stadium managers soon began work on a new outdoor pitch. These days the cheering at Denmark s Ikast Stadion isn t just for the country s newest football club, FC Midtjylland, but also for the new, high-tech pitch. DOW TECHNOLOGY USED FOR THIS PROJECT TURF INFILL BACKING Polyethylene for the multi-directional yarn production Improved traction and safety Excellent abrasion performance Stability in ultraviolet sunlight and weatherability Excellent yarn resilience and durability Elastomers for Flexsand Action rubber coated sand infill Good energy absorption and cushioning Softness Improved system durability Excellent aesthetics with freedom of colour Non flammable (suited for indoor application) High-performance polyurethanes (PU) compound Increased production speed Excellent tuft lock Added dimensional stability Easier installation Improving The Game The Turf Solutions Newsletter Page

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