Technical Absorbents
Techtextil Frankfurt

Free membership

Receive our weekly Newsletter
and set tailored daily news alerts.

Technology/Machinery

Women’s World Cup played on artificial turf produced on German machinery

The machines on which two US American companies produced the artificial turf for the Canadian stadiums were supplied Reimotec.

17th August 2015

Innovation in Textiles
 |  Lampertheim/Troisdorf

Sports/​Outdoor, Industrial

Reimotec Maschinenbau, a leader in the production of monofilament lines and strapping tape lines, has developed the machinery and production technology for the artificial turf, which was used in the Canadian stadiums during the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup.

According to Detlef Kolb, Managing Director Sales, the new technology can indicate the number of grass blades of each artificial grass pitch used during the Cup with mathematical precision.

Turf fields

The artificial turf was used during the World Cup due to the fact that it was not possible to lay natural grass in the covered stadiums, and the material proved to be a particularly suitable alternative.

Extrusion process of endless filaments for the production of artificial turf with the highest standard of quality on Reimotec monofilament lines. © Reimotec Maschinenbau

Despite the fact that the feeling of playing on artificial turf may be different, especially for players who are used to real grass, the climate and weather in many countries do not allow the set up and maintainence of natural grass pitches.

The life expectancy of artificial turf, even when exposed to high stresses, is according to Reimotec, 7 to 15 years, about three times higher than that of natural grass. In addition, it does not require any regeneration phases. Today, artificial turf fields are increasingly used for many sports also in Germany and Europe.

Green wave

“So many sports fields worldwide are currently equipped with artificial turf as never before – in Europe alone more than 4000 in 2014. Significantly rising numbers can also be recorded for Germany since many municipalities and sports clubs, including the Bundesliga, value the enormous benefits of the extruded material,” explained Detlef Kolb.

Monofilaments in a Reimotec line for the production of artificial turf with the requested excellent properties. © Reimotec Maschinenbau

“For example, national coach Jogi Löw has taken a clear position on artificial turf explaining that it offers distinct advantages for technically experienced players. Moreover, it is not possible to play the upcoming big tournaments, like in Qatar, on natural grass because it cannot be used due to the climatic conditions there, or need extremely high efforts to be maintained for only a short period of time.”

Cost in a green range

German Bundesliga clubs report annual costs of about 1 million Euros per natural grass pitch, whereas the costs for setting up an artificial turf ground are only about EUR 500,000, the company reports. This is not only profitable but to a large extent indicative for the future of international sports played on lawn, the manufacturer believes.

There is also a move towardsthe  constant improvement in the quality to produce a more natural-like turf. “Our technology is constantly getting better, finer and more closely matched to the experiences and expectancies of the sportspersons. We develop this technology further in a targeted way because our international partners who buy from us the machines to produce monofilaments for artificial turf, are constantly forging ahead and are facing challenging tasks. We are at the forefront of progress,” said Detlef Kolb.

www.reifenhauser.com

Latest Reports

Business intelligence for the fibre, textiles and apparel industries: technologies, innovations, markets, investments, trade policy, sourcing, strategy...

Find out more