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European Synthetic Turf producers set up new organisation to promote industry growth

2007-09-25

Fifteen of the leading European producers of synthetic turf have today launched a new industry organisation, to promote the benefits of the industry’s products, and encourage further market growth in this dynamic and rapidly developing sector. The companies involved represent more than 85% of total European activity in production of synthetic turf, and the yarns from which it is made.

Synthetic turf – also sometimes known as artificial grass – is typically used for sports fields for football, tennis, golf, hockey and much more, but is also increasingly in demand for landscaping. It has very large advantages in terms of wear, high utilisation, performance consistency, weather resistance, and ease and cost of maintenance. It has an excellent environmental performance. Intensive research, large investment and dedication to continuous product development by yarn producers and processors of the tufted playing surfaces have given modern synthetic turf for sports uses outstanding playing characteristics. The result has been dynamic market growth.

Continued success and market development – to the benefit of producers, sports facility operators and players alike – depends on the maintenance of high standards in production and installation of synthetic turf, and on the availability of unbiased information on how to choose the turf most fitted for a particular purpose. Healthy industry development also needs a forum for all parties to meet and facilitate communication along the business chain, from manufacturers to architects, installers, contractors, test institutes and particularly to the end-users. Relations with sports federations, professional teams, sports clubs and municipalities are of particular importance.

The new organisation has been named ESTO, the European Synthetic Turf Organisation. It is established with offices in Brussels, in close cooperation with the European Association for Textile Polyolefins (EATP). It will operate in strict respect for all European and international obligations under competition policy. Its website – on-line today – is http://www.eu-syntheticturf.org/.

ESTO Chairman Arnoud Fiolet says:

“This is an exciting development which I am convinced will lead to further market growth for synthetic turf. Success depends on demonstrating that the industry is producing high quality, reliable products, and that it is committed to providing full satisfaction to its customers. Membership of ESTO is a sign by the industry’s leading players that they are in the business for the long term, and that they intend to respect the highest standards of business conductin working with customers.

“ESTO is committed to an ambitious programme of developing communications, standardising test methods, producing industry statistics and much else.

“ESTO will be an outward-looking and proactive organisation, ready to form alliances with all interested parties, and to cooperate with them in ensuring accurate public perception of the advantages of artificial turf. Associate membership will be made available to professional firms with a common interest in responsible market development.

“From today onwards, ESTO is the common voice for synthetic turf in Europe.”  

 

Notes to Editors

  1. Synthetic turf in Europe is a € 1 billion+ business, with dynamic growth rates. Together with the USA, Europe is the global leader in this activity.
  1. The founding members of ESTO are:
    Bonar Yarns, Desso Sports Systems, Domo Sports & Leisure Grass, Edel Grass, FieldTurf Tarkett, Greenfields, Lano Sports, Limonta Sport, Mondo Tufting, Poligras, Polytan, Saltex, Ten Cate & Tessiture Pietro Radici & TigerTurf.
  1. Membership of ESTO is open to any producer of yarn for synthetic turf or of the tufted surfaces forming the turf, having production facilities in Europe, subject to requirements on quality and financial standing. Associate membership will be made available shortly to other industry stakeholders.
  1. ESTO has been formed as a sector group within EATP, the European Association for Textile Polyolefins, a respected and influential industry association in Brussels. It follows EATP’s strict rules of conduct on competition policy compliance.
  1. The offices of ESTO are at:
    6, Avenue Van Nieuwenhuyse
    B - 1160 Brussels
    Tel        + 32 2 676 74 72
    Fax       + 32 2 676 74 74
    E-mail   info@eu-syntheticturf.org                                   
    URL      http://www.eu-syntheticturf.org/ 
  1. For further information, please contact :

    Arnoud Fiolet – Chairman
    Spokesperson for Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Ireland, Luxemburg, Romania, United Kingdom

    Enrico Buriani – Vice Chairman
    Spokesperson for Albania, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Macedonia, Malta, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey

    Axel Alpen – Chairman Technical Committee
    Spokesperson for Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland

    Ralph Jorissen – Chairman Communications Committee
    Spokesperson for Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden

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