Tag Archive for: SGL

SGL expands LED grow lighting range

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SGL expands LED grow lighting range: SGL, global leader in pitch management solutions, announces the expansion of their LED grow lighting systems range: the LED60, LED30, and LED10. Developed and produced entirely in-house, these new products allow SGL to cater even more precisely to the needs of grounds teams—offering compact, user-friendly solutions for every situation.

Tailor-made solutions

As the turfgrass industry continues to evolve, so does the demand for adaptable and complete solutions. SGL aims to meet the full range of grounds teams’ needs with a product for every scenario. The introduction of the LED60, LED30, and LED10 ensures that a suitable lighting solution is available—whether for quick repairs in tight corners or broader turf recovery in high-wear zones.

SGL expands LED grow lighting range

SGL expands LED grow lighting range

Designed for performance and practicality

SGL undertook extensive research and development to optimise its existing LED product range. The result is a new line of lightweight, compact units built for frequent and efficient operation. A slim construction, combined with smart leg design and strategic SmartBox placement, ensures minimal shadowing beneath the unit and superior, uniform light distribution in all climates.

The separation of light and heat, an important function of LED grow lighting technology, is now available even in the smallest units, increasing efficiency while saving energy in the process.

All three models are fully developed and produced at SGL’s headquarters. With the opening of their new office, production processes are further streamlined—reinforcing SGL’s long-term vision for in-house innovation and growth.

Three models, three solutions

Although launched simultaneously, the LED60, LED30, and LED10 are distinct products, each designed for specific pitch conditions.

The new LED60 sets a benchmark in turf lighting performance. Designed to cover 60 m², it is the largest of the three compact models—ideal for high-wear zones such as goalmouths.

Compared to its predecessor, the LED50, the LED60 maintains the same compact dimensions while delivering 10 m² more coverage. This is made possible by a custom-engineered lens that ensures optimal light distribution.

What truly sets the LED60 apart:

  • Higher efficiency: With a state-of-the-art LED efficiency of 3.9 µmol/J, it delivers more light with less energy.
  • Lower weight: Nearly 100 kilograms lighter, making handling and deployment significantly easier.
  • Reduced cost: Despite its enhanced performance, the LED60 is available at a lower price, offering exceptional value.

The LED60 combines innovation and practicality—delivering more light, more coverage, and more efficiency, all while reducing operational costs.

The LED30 covers 30 m², offering the same advanced features in a smaller format. It’s well-suited for targeted recovery across the pitch, providing flexibility for grounds teams who want precise application in a compact, easy-to-handle unit.

The LED10 is the most compact unit model, covering 10 m², and is perfect for fast recovery in specific high-wear zones such as corners. Its two-leg rear design with wheels makes it especially easy to handle and reposition.

Connected to TurfBase

All three units are supported by SGL’s data management dashboard, TurfBase, which enables users to register lighting hours, remotely turn units on and off, or schedule timers to optimise the microclimate 24/7. All with the aim of maximising efficiency to achieve the best agronomical results with the lowest energy consumption.

With this launch, SGL expands its commitment to delivering precise, practical solutions—empowering grounds teams with the tools they need to maintain high-quality playing surfaces, no matter the challenge.

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SGL launches TurfRobot

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SGL launches TurfRobot: SGL, global leader in pitch management solutions, introduces TurfRobot – a fully autonomous robot that sustainably battles grass diseases and keeps pitches in top condition. TurfRobot is powered by UVC light technology and requires minimal manual input.

By preventing and reducing grass diseases with maximum efficiency, it supports grounds teams in maintaining healthy sports turf and ensures consistent playing conditions for top-level performance, day after day.

SGL launches TurfRobot

SGL launches TurfRobot

Sustainable disease control

TurfRobot provides an efficient and sustainable solution for treating grass diseases on sports fields. Operating autonomously, it uses UVC technology to target and eliminate fungi without the use of chemicals, making it an environmentally friendly alternative. This innovative approach ensures effective disease management while promoting a more sustainable future for pitch maintenance.

How UVC light protects turfgrass

UVC light eliminates harmful fungi by disrupting their DNA, preventing them from reproducing or causing damage. TurfRobot emits light at 253.7 nanometres, a wavelength proven to neutralise pathogens without affecting the grass. Grass cells are far more resistant to UVC than fungal cells, allowing TurfRobot to safely target disease-causing microorganisms while leaving the plant unharmed. This proven technology reduces disease pressure and helps maintain a consistently healthy, high-quality playing surface.

Autonomous operation

TurfRobot runs independently, allowing the grounds team to focus on other important maintenance work once the treatment is set up. After scanning the pitch during installation, the robot follows a pre-set treatment route without further intervention. Its 3D LiDAR object detection system ensures smooth navigation, enabling other maintenance to continue simultaneously.
While total treatment time may be longer than traditional spraying methods, TurfRobot requires no manual handling during operation. This hands-free process helps reduce workload, freeing up time and attention for other essential pitch tasks. This makes it a valuable addition to every clubs’ Integrated Pest Management strategy.

Data-driven

Data from TurfBase, SGL’s advanced data management dashboard, helps groundsmen use TurfRobot to its full potential. The key modules to support TurfRobot are the Disease Forecast and Observations module. The Disease forecast provides a 7-day prediction of disease pressure for more than 10 common grass diseases and alerts groundsmen. The Observations module helps to create a logbook of what groundsmen observe on the pitch, empowering them to track, analyse, and improve pitch management based on firsthand observations.

Contact information

For more details about TurfRobot, contact Jesse de Koning at j.dekoning@sglsystem.com or call +31 7 959 338 01.

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Sustainable launch from SGL

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Sustainable launch from SGL: In the midst of the worldwide transition to a sustainable society, SGL sets a new standard for efficient pitch management. The past years their agronomy and R&D team worked closely together, to bring together over a decade of agronomical research and technological innovation, and transformed that into the biggest and most efficient mobile grow lighting system for sports grass: the LED440.

The combination of improved growth algorithms and new in-house developed LED and Infrared technology, enables SGL to guarantee grass quality and energy savings.

Sustainable launch from SGL

Sustainable launch from SGL

SGL has been working with growth algorithms since day one and with the development of this new technology, it is again the foundation. Founder Nico van Vuuren believes data and technology are inseparable when it comes to sustainability: “In order to be able to have the desired grass growth while using resources most efficiently, you need to know what the conditions are and then calculate what input, such as light, temperature and water, is required. Our agronomy team has optimized our growth algorithm and is able to exactly determine the light and temperature requirements for every individual pitch. Our new LED and Infrared technology on the LED440 enables individual control of light and temperature accordingly. This combination enables us to guarantee energy savings and grass quality.”

Developing a 440 square meter lighting system with LED and Infrared, that is both effective and sustainable, came with a lot of challenges. SGL director of R&D, Scott Bogner, explains: “For a system of this size, we had to address issues like weight and power levels, and also the challenge of how to mix infrared and LED in our signature six-arm platform, so we started from scratch.” To meet both the quality and efficiency demands, the LED fixtures and Infrared fixtures have been designed by developers in-house, based on a decade of agronomical research. Bogner: “Usually in LED fixtures, roughly 35% of the energy is converted in convection heat. Convection heat warms the air around the fixture and is not directed to the surface, which means this energy is wasted. With our new LED fixture, this heat is collected and directed to the surface if additional heat is needed. In addition, we came up with an innovative asymmetrical reflector for our new Infrared technology, to get a consistent temperature across the entire footprint. By designing new LED and Infrared fixtures specifically for our 440 square meter platform, we were able to significantly decrease the number of fixtures. This resulted in a 70% weight reduction per square meter. However, one of the biggest accomplishments, is the overall system efficiency. Being able to deliver as much light as a previous system with a 40% energy saving, is a monumental improvement.”

For the most efficient operation, the LED440 has temperature sensors built in, which constantly measure grass temperature. SGL developed a new Smart control system to make sure only the amount of Infrared is added to reach the desired temperature set by the groundsman. This enables a perfect growing environment in all climates, also in winter, and significant savings in summers and hot climates. SGL agronomist Dr. Irene Vroegop explains the importance of a good light and temperature balance: “Two of the main plant processes, photosynthesis and respiration, are driven by light and temperature. When there is a disbalance, you will get either very thick leaves that are difficult to mow and hard to play on, or weak plants that get damaged easily and are susceptible for diseases. By creating the right balance, you can grow a strong plant that is able to endure a match, which is good to play on and can recover afterwards.”

Van Vuuren and the SGL team have been working towards this moment for years: “Twenty years ago, we set the standard with the first grow lighting systems in sports stadiums. But that doesn’t mean a thing if you stop innovating. There’s always a demand for higher quality; we always have to improve. The LED440 will be the next step for top quality sports grass in a sustainable way, and I’m very proud of that.”

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SGL TurfPod makes grass monitoring accessible

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SGL TurfPod makes grass monitoring accessible: Data driven decisions usually result in a higher grass quality and more efficient use of resources. Yet, many clubs do not have the budget to make big investments in monitoring equipment.

Over the past years SGL have been working towards a solution to make monitoring technology accessible to everyone. They now launch an all-in-one tool that is affordable and user friendly to lower leagues, and at the same time offers advanced possibilities to the highest levels of sport: the SGL TurfPod.

SGL TurfPod makes grass monitoring accessible

SGL TurfPod makes grass monitoring accessible

The TurfPod is a small device containing six sensors that track the essential growing conditions above ground and in the soil. When pinned into the soil, the TurfPod operates automatically and shows the microclimate data in real time on the Portal. This information can be used to, among other things, make decisions on fertilization, irrigation and supplemental lighting.

The TurfPod is developed in line with SGL founder Nico van Vuuren’s strong belief that data is a basic necessity for every groundsman and greenkeeper: “Every playing surface is different, every climate is different, and every budget is different. There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to managing grass. Every turf manager, in all levels of sport, should be able to respond to the ever changing conditions and make well informed decisions during their daily work and the challenges they face. The only way to do that is with data, so our goal is to make that possible.”

Flexibility has been the key in reaching accessibility. SGL let go of substantial one time investments and supply the TurfPod as a flexible lease, starting at €49 a month, hardware and software included. Customers can upgrade the software whenever they please, with a wide range of TurfModules, such as data analyses and visualisations. Van Vuuren: “We understand that groundsmen and greenkeepers need flexibility. Therefore we enable them to configure their Portal with the information that is relevant to them. This modular approach enables, for example, very detailed reporting on a stadium pitch, but only the essential information for the training pitches. Or the possibility to add a Disease Forecast to their Portal during high pressure months and turn it off for the rest of the year.”

The TurfPod is a completely customizable monitoring tool, fit to every budget, sport and situation. When there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, SGL proves to be a tailor.

More information on: www.sglsystem.com/turfpod

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New Lighting Range From SGL

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New Lighting Range From SGL: The brand new BU grow lighting range makes grow lights possible for sports clubs that never had the budget before.

Our goal is to enable high quality grass growth for everyone, and due to advanced engineering and clever production, that day has come. The BU products stand for low investment costs, minimized shipping costs and reduced operational costs. In addition, we have optimized accessibility and user friendliness with our ‘get it, build it, use it’ method.

New Lighting Range From SGL

1. Get it: order online and get it shipped on just one pallet within a few business days
2. Build it: assemble the BU products yourself
3. Use it: plug & play

Official reveal at stand G223, come and check it out!

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