ESTC to Clarify Infill Standards in Free Webinar

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ESTC to Clarify Infill Standards in Free Webinar: EMEA Synthetic Turf Council (ESTC) is inviting all stakeholders involved in the design, installation, and management of synthetic turf systems to attend a free webinar clarifying newly introduced infill standards.

Infill Under the Microscope: A Guide to EN 15330-5, is set to take place on 6 March, 12:00pm UTC, and will offer a concise, expert‑led overview to help the industry adapt to the new EN 15330‑5 standard. The hour-long webinar is open to both ESTC members and the general public, and can be registered for here.

ESTC to Clarify Infill Standards in Free Webinar

ESTC to Clarify Infill Standards in Free Webinar

EN 15330-5, which came into effect in October 2025, is the new European standard that defines the specification requirements for infill materials used in synthetic turf systems. The standard sets minimum performance and durability requirements, specifies physical and chemical properties that manufacturers must declare, and defines how all of this must be measured.

The webinar will open with an introduction from Stefan Diderich, Director General/CEO of ESTC, and Ângelo Castro, Chair of ESTC’s Infill Group, offering some background on the new legislation and why it has been introduced.

Lee Guerriero, Pitch and Technology Specialist at UEFA, will then discuss the importance of infill quality for both performance and safety, before Alastair Cox, Technical Director of ESTC, will outline what the standard is and what it means in practice.

Craig Melrose, Laboratory Manager at Sports Labs, will also provide an update on how testing procedures will evolve under EN 15330-5, before the session will be opened up to the floor for any questions from attendees.

Stefan Diderich, Director General/CEO of ESTC: “Whether you are a manufacturer, designer, installer, or manager of synthetic turf, our latest webinar will be essential viewing for anybody looking to understand the complexities of this latest standard.

“Understanding how EN 15330-5 will affect every step of the supply chain – from specification and procurement through to maintenance and performance – will be critical to its success, so I encourage all stakeholders to register and come prepared with any questions they may have.”

Register for the webinar here.

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SIS Synthetic Turf Innovation

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SIS Synthetic Turf Innovation: One of the world’s leading turf manufacturers has enhanced its diverse product range, following a £1.8m investment in a new factory and technology.

Industry-leading SIS Pitches, based in Cumbria, has developed its products to extend the life of its 3G pitches and improve overall player experience.

SIS Synthetic Turf Innovation

The improvements could see pitches last up to 10 years – two years more than the industry standard.

Exclusively available from SIS Pitches, the SISTurf Xtreme and SISTurf Xtreme Ultra products features a new premium yarn.

The yarn is made in the UK with specially developed polymer to create a natural look and feel. The new technology makes the product more resilient, improves performance and increases durability.

Both products use SISGrade infill made from Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM). It is both fire resistant and odourless, making it ideal for indoor use. The product is highly resistant to ageing, weathering and UV. It also conforms to the strictest REACH and EN safety standards.

SISTurf Xtreme and SISTurf Xtreme Ultra also feature a SISBond polyurethane premium backing which has been specially engineered to provide a much stronger and durable backing than other systems. It is primarily used for elite performance, providing enhanced fibre retention and improved moisture-resistance.

SIS Pitches is a full-service provider in specialist sports pitches and landscaping grass. Last year, they designed, constructed and installed SISGrass hybrid pitches at six 2018 World Cup venues, including the Luzhniki Stadium pitch for the opening match and the final.

Luke Edwards, SIS Pitches technical director, said: “We have evolved our product range and are excited to offer our best-performing yarn to date.

“Both SISTurf Xtreme and SISTurf Xtreme Ultra include our premium infill and backing systems, and deliver outstanding performance, durability and resilience.

“Our synthetic pitches are being used all around the world in a variety of sports and we are vey proud to be able to make these products available to our customers.”

SIS Synthetic Turf Innovation

Last month, SIS Pitches reaffirmed its commitment to UK manufacturing when it announced its new turf production facility in Maryport. The new factory, which covers an area of more than 2,100 square metres, is one of the most technologically-advanced production facilities in Europe, designed to deliver high quality, long-lasting synthetic surfaces.

The factory utilises the latest technology in thermal insulation, LED lighting, laser-fire detection and advanced cladding systems, while the new backing plant will be the most advanced turf backing system in the UK.

George Mullan, SIS Pitches owner and CEO said: “Our new state-of-the-art factory features world-leading turf production technology and provides us with the platform to increase our production volumes.

“We can produce pitches six times faster than before which equates to more than six million square metres of turf every year.

“At SIS Pitches, we are always looking at ways to stay one step ahead and these recent improvements in innovation and technology reaffirm our position as the market leader in the manufacturing of synthetic turf.”

For more information, please visit the SIS Pitches website: http://www.sispitches.com

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Manchester Grammar School’s New Hockey Surface

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Manchester Grammar School’s New Hockey Surface: Staff and students at The Manchester Grammar School, the largest independent day school for boys in the UK, are over the moon after many years of planning has seen their dreams for an elite hockey pitch become a reality. GreenFields were handpicked from a number of other companies for the construction of the school’s new hockey pitch along with adjacent tennis courts, which were all completed in time for Christmas.

The top spec water based hockey pitch features GreenFields TX Elite, a product which has seen many of the best players in the world compete on it at tournaments such as the 2017 European Hockey World Championship. Classified by the FIH (International Hockey Federation) as the Global Elite standard, which is the optimum surface type for competitive hockey tournaments, GreenFields TX Elite provides the ultimate smooth playing surface combining high playing and ball speed, incredible precision and control.

Manchester Grammar School's New Hockey Surface

Dr Martin Boulton, High Master at The Manchester Grammar School commented: “The new hockey pitch and tennis courts are absolutely fantastic and will give our boys the opportunity to play on world-class surfaces of the quality used by international athletes, helping our boys flourish and develop their sporting potential. They are a great addition to our School.”

The 6,576m² elite hockey pitch was completed with a Trocellen ProGame XC 7008 shock pad for maximum comfort and safety with irrigation achieved by pop up sprinklers. The facility also includes a 3,560m² tennis surface featuring six compact courts.

Paul Milton, Commercial Director at GreenFields UK said: “We are delighted to have installed an international level water based playing surface at the prestigious independent school – The Manchester Grammar School and are happy to see that the pupils are getting full use of it already. This impressive sports facility will further strengthen our North West portfolio providing an elite case study for GreenFields for the future.”

Manchester Grammar School's New Hockey Surface

Upon completion of the new hockey pitch and tennis courts, GreenFields arranged for professional photography and drone footage to be taken to support the school in their marketing materials.

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3G Pitch Enables Buxton FC To Launch Academy

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3G Pitch Enables Buxton FC To Launch Academy: EVO-STIK Northern Premier League Club, Buxton FC have seen their dreams turn into reality with the installation of their new 3G pitch, meaning that in September 2019 they will launch their academy for young aspiring footballers, a feat that would have been near impossible to achieve on their old natural grass pitch.

The club has wanted to set up an academy for many years to facilitate players moving up through the ranks to their first team, producing home grown ‘Buxton’ players. This was paired with the need for increased community participation in the area along with the requirement to reduce the number of cancelled fixtures after having a number of matches that had to be rearranged in the 17-18 season, resulting in not only a loss of revenue on the gate but also from food and beverage match day sales.

3G Pitch Enables Buxton FC To Launch Academy

Playing in the Premier League of the EVO-STIK NPL, Buxton FC are the latest NPL club to select official league pitch partners, GreenFields to install their new 3G pitch. The club now proudly boast one of the highest spec 3G pitches in the country with the same product installed at the likes of Arsenal FC, Charlton Athletic Academy and a number of Scottish Premier League clubs including Hamilton Academical FC and Livingston FC.

Buxton FC made their choice to convert from natural grass to the 3G woven sports turf, GreenFields MX Elite after visiting the 3G pitch installed in Summer 2016, based at fellow NPL club, Hyde United with the same product in situ. The high-tech product is manufactured using patented woven technology resulting in an extremely high tuft bind. This forces the fibres to stand straighter providing a more natural playing experience and visual appearance.

The new pitch which has been operational for just over three months now has received exceptional reviews already from both Buxton FC along with visiting teams. David Hopkins, Chairman at Buxton FC commented: “We are delighted with our new pitch which overnight, alongside the obvious commercial opportunities, allows us to at last fully engage with our local community and already we have been able to partner with Buxton Junior Football Club’s twenty teams, including the ladies’ team. Partnering with Buxton Rugby Club also means we are now able to welcome not only all the football community from Buxton and the surrounding villages, but also the rugby community too. From the grass pitch last year, which we could use at best four hours per week, we now have a facility which enables us to become a real hub for the Buxton community.”

As official pitch partner to the EVO-STIK NPL as well as more recently the EVO-STIK League South, GreenFields have an ongoing relationship with non-league clubs and the leagues themselves with a commitment to providing and advising on surface solutions as well as supporting clubs with all of their natural grass related queries.

3G Pitch Enables Buxton FC To Launch Academy

Paul Milton, Director at GreenFields commented: “Working with Buxton this Summer and on an ongoing basis sums up for me what GreenFields is all about. We aim to help and work with non-league clubs throughout the country with an emphasis on building long term relationships post installation. Now that the pitch is complete we will work with Buxton FC to support them with sponsorship as well as carrying out essential quarterly maintenance and being a constant point of contact for any pitch related queries. We look forward to watching how the club grows after the addition of the 3G pitch and to a long partnership between us.”

The completed pitch has been tested to both FIFA Quality and World Rugby performance standards as the pitch has been designed as a dual use facility to accommodate rugby as well as football to enable usage from local club, Buxton RFU.

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New Life For Sports Surface Thanks To Replay

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New Life For Sports Surface Thanks To Replay: The Pasture (Fairways) Sports Complex boasts an astroturf surface which is a hub for sport in the community of Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire. A true multi-functional pitch, it see’s many hours of play per week taking its toll on the condition of the surface. Synthetic specialists Replay Maintenance were recently called in to conduct their Rejuvenation® process, which has given the pitch a new lease of life.

Owned by Selby District Council, the day to day running of the site is controlled by Parish Council Clerk of 34 years Margaret Gibson. “The Pastures is a great asset and hosts a variety of sports including hockey, football and tennis. The upkeep of the pitch, together with the surrounding park, falls to a contractor but this is really just on an ad-hoc basis and following months of poor weather, and high play usage the pitch was in need of a more thorough deep clean.” The services of Replay were recommended by a local England Hockey representative, to which Replay are the sole official maintenance partner.

New Life For Sports Surface Thanks To Replay

“Replay came in to conduct their Rejuvenation® process at the end of April and the end result was fantastic. It refurbished the pitch to a point where it looked like a new surface which was welcomed by all of the clubs and players who use the site.” Replay’s unique Rejuvenation process uses constant air-flow plenum technology and compressed air to remove the contaminated top layer of sand; restore the pile to vertical and fill again with new clean infill. It can restore a surface to an ‘as new’ condition for appearance, drainage and performance and often double the playing life of a pitch for a fraction of the cost of a replacement carpet.

Following the successful Rejuvenation®, the Parish Council made the decision to appoint Replay on a service agreement basis which will now see them visit twice a year to conduct a deep-clean. Sales Director of Replay Maintenance Nick Harris reiterates the importance of planned maintenance. “Choosing regular, arranged maintenance gives you peace of mind that your surface is getting the treatment required, at a fixed amount and at intervals that suit the needs of each individual facility. With Replay we also conduct pre and post maintenance testing to show the difference the maintenance regime is making, enabling you to plan future requirements far more effectively.”

New Life For Sports Surface Thanks To Replay

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