Artificial Grass Feature - PanStadia magazine - May 2005

For those without Adobe Reader, the following is a text draft of the artificial grass article published in May 2005 issue of PanStadia Magazine.

The Development of Artificial Grass
As individual participation in sports throughout the world continue to increase, so does the challenge of building and maintaining natural grass fields in good condition. The increased number of players and hours on a sports field coupled with differing climactic conditions around the world have led sport organizations to focus on alternate options.

Artificial grass has provided a durable surface that can be utilized in all-weather conditions since the 1960’s. As the artificial grass industry has matured, so have the technological advances in the products. Each technological advance has added features to benefit the buyers of artificial grass. For instance, in the 1970’s, polypropylene fibrillated fibers were introduced to reduce skin abrasion compared to the original nylon-based product.

Then in the 1980’s sand-filled systems were introduced which greatly reduced the costs. In the 1990’s rubber-infill systems solved hardening issues with sand and provided additional shock absorbency. During the past several years, infill-based artificial grass systems generally feature excellent shock absorption and soft, polyethylene fibers that are UV resistant.

New Technology to Focus on Biomechanics
Despite the introduction of infill-based artificial grass fields, athletes have still voiced preferences for natural grass surfaces. Players have raised concerns about their interaction with the artificial surface and the behavior of the ball on the surface. These concerns include foot stability, slipping, early fatigue, injuries and unfavorable ball roll speeds.

Due to feedback from athletes and trainers, sport organizations such as FIFA and UEFA have conducted extensive research on the biomechanical properties of natural grass.

Higher Standards through Research
By better understanding the player and ball interaction with natural grass, FIFA and UEFA have been able to establish newer and higher standards for artificial grass. These standards go beyond shock absorbency and traditional “carpet” specifications such as fiber weights, pile heights etc. The standards further encourage the artificial grass industry to develop systems that replicate the natural grass experience.

The ideal artificial grass systems will encompass the performance characteristics of natural grass relative to the interaction of the surface with both the athletes and the ball. The performance standards include the following criteria:

                   Athlete-to-Surface                                       Ball-to-Surface
                   Shock Absorbency                                       Vertical ball rebound
                   Vertical Deformation (foot stability)               Football roll
                   Slip resistance                                             Angled ball behavior
                   Traction
                   Sliding distance                                           Quality
                   Skin Abrasion                                             Lisport “5-year” simulated wear
                   Weathering (UV, water and heat)                  Joint strength
                                                                                    Tensile strength
                                                                                    Product identification

Improvements through Scientific Engineering
In order to design an artificial grass system that meets the new international standards, a company must dedicate significant research and development resources to scientifically engineer the “complete” system.

Each component of the artificial grass system effects the performance of the entire artificial grass system. For example, a company may add additional polyethylene fiber weight in order to improve durability. However, too much fiber weight may have a negative effect on the ability for the athlete’s foot to interact with the infill.

To illustrate another example, it is known that rubber infill improves shock absorbency. Although players want a shock absorbent surface, they do not want one that is too soft. Vertical deformation or foot stability is also very important. Sand not only adds dimensional stability to the system, but will also prevent the system from undergoing excessive surface deformation, which can lead to over-stretched ligaments. An artificial grass company must then understand how to properly maintain a field with sand and rubber infill to avoid compaction issues and promote the long-term performance of the artificial grass system.

It would be rather confusing for a buyer of artificial grass to try and understand the complexities of each system component. To help ensure that the proper performance, safety and quality standards are met, FIFA and UEFA have approved certain independent laboratories to conduct the system testing. A buyer can then simply select an artificial grass company that has met all of the standards as collaboratively set by FIFA and UEFA.

The artificial grass companies that have met these new, higher standards have successfully replicated the natural grass experience.

Global Sports Systems Achieves Higher Standards
Global Sports Systems Inc. has achieved higher standards in terms of all the critical areas of an artificial grass system: Athlete-to-Surface Interaction, Ball-to-Surface Interaction, and Quality.

Global Sports and its Xtreme Turf and ACTurf brands, represent an ideally engineered artificial grass system. For instance, instead of simply adding more of the polyethylene fiber (and risk proper infill interaction) just to pass durability tests, Global Sports utilizes a stronger fiber. Instead of avoiding sand infill (and risk proper foot stability and fatigue prevention) just to avoid compaction issues, Global Sports provides a comprehensive maintenance manual based upon facts.

Global Sports Systems has achieved UEFA certifications on three of its Xtreme Turf products. It has also passed independent laboratory tests on the newer, test criteria related to skin abrasion, shock absorption, foot stability and ball interaction.

Quality assurance
When selecting its Xtreme Turf or ACTurf systems, a Global Sports customer is assured of the highest quality available. The quality tests include the Lisport apparatus that simulates 5 years of wear and tear. The systems have also been independently tested for weathering (UV, water and heat), joint strength and tensile strength.

Quality is further reassured when Global Sports adheres to a Total Quality Management methodology. This includes each of the following phases:
  •     Management commitment to quality
  •     Employee training and procedures
  •     Research and development
  •     Product design and testing
  •     Manufacturing processes which focuses on prevention
  •     Use of quality raw materials
  •     Processes to detect, record and resolve any product quality matters
  •     Sample retention
  •     Final pre-shipment inspection
  •     Installation workmanship
  •     Post-installation maintenance

Benefits of Technology Improvements and Quality
As a result of selecting an artificial grass system that has been scientifically engineered to meets the new international standards for performance and quality, the buyer has achieved its goals as suggested by its consultants, athletes and team managers.

By specifying a company that can demonstrate adherence to international artificial grass standards, a consultant can add value to the buyer. The consultant can deliver a system that goes beyond “carpet” specifications, and is proven to meet athletic performance and quality standards.

From an athlete’s point of view, the artificial grass system by Global Sports replicates the natural grass experience. It offers consistent playability, passing, sprinting and turning. The ball behavior is predictable. Most of all, the athlete does not have to adapt his or her skills to the surface – the focus is on the game.

From a team manager perspective, intense training can be performed in all weather conditions. With Global Sports’ uniform playing surfaces, there is less chance of injury. With good care and utilization, a field can last for 10 years while having more playing hours.