H.B. Fuller introduces TEC brand in Europe

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Zurich – 24 April 2013 — H.B. Fuller, leading provider of adhesives to the building and construction industry, has announced the transition of a key brand of flooring installation products.

Following the acquisition of Forbo Industrial Adhesives last year, H.B. Fuller has taken on part of the Eurocol adhesives line. Those products that now come under H.B.Fuller’s portfolio will be transitioned to become part of the TEC™ product range. With more than 55 years in the industry, the TEC™ brand is one of the most trusted and respected brands in the United States for delivering innovative adhesive solutions.

The extensive TEC™ product line supports the installation of many flooring systems including linoleum, parquet and PVC. The product range brings many benefits including excellent grab, strong initial tack and strong resilience combined with low VOC (volatile organic compound).

Alain Redé, business manager for Building & Construction at H.B. Fuller, explains: “The Eurocol and TEC™ brands’ values are aligned in terms of bringing efficient, high quality and sustainable adhesive solutions suited to our customers’ needs. Our products are supported by a team of experts who have more than 40 years’ experience in the European market working with distributors, contractors, architects and designers and this helps us to deliver the best solution possible for our customers. “While rebranding the Eurocol products under the TEC™ brand, the existing products
are backed by global specification, global endorsements and investment into innovation through our R&D centers in Europe and the USA.”

Customers can be assured that, despite the change in product brand, they will continue to receive market leading technology, high performance products and quality service that they have come to trust from the Eurocol brand. All product numbers will remain the same, while packaging will be transitioned from the Eurocol mark to the TEC™ brand look and feel over the coming weeks, with new brochures and a newly designed website.

Alain Redé concludes: “We are confident that the transition of the Eurocol mark to the TEC™ brand will bring benefit to our customers. We are committed to providing innovation, premium quality and superior support to our partners in the industry and transitioning the Eurocol products to our TEC™ portfolio will strengthen our offering. Customers will continue to receive H.B. Fuller’s commitment to helping them turn vision into reality through collaborative partnership.”

For more information about TEC™ products, visit http://www.tecspecialty.com/europe.

 

The TEC trademark is owned by H.B. Fuller Construction Products Inc. and is registered in the U.S.A. and other countries.

The EUROCOL trademark is owned by Forbo Financial Services AG and is registered in Switzerland and other countries.

Technical Surfaces Ltd

Machinery Matters – SMG & Technical Surfaces

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Technical Surfaces enjoys an unrivalled wealth of experience in the maintenance of artificial sports pitches, which is reflected in our continued investments in the latest technology, ensuring our place at the very forefront of industry best practice.

Our 30-strong collection of dedicated maintenance machinery comprises many items from the SMG range, including the CareMax and SportChamp. Technical Surfaces is proud to be the sole UK Distributor of the SMG range of artificial pitch maintenance machinery, and we work closely with their research team to develop new and improved machinery and equipment.

SMG CareMax CM2D

SMG CareMax CM2D

The SMG CareMax CM2D is a compact drive unit, ideal for completing routine maintenance. In a single operation the SMG CareMax lifts the top layers of infill, separating any dirt, dust and fibre particles, before returning the cleaned infill to the system. This latest model of the SMG CareMax also boasts a series of attachments to perform more specialist works, such as decompactions and localised infill top-ups. Our maintenance technicians use the SMG CareMax to perform Power Sweeping and regular Decompactions as part of our specialist MatchFit® maintenance service.

SMG SportChamp

SMG SportChamp 2

Described as both ‘the leading machine in the world market‘ and ‘the multifunctional care and maintenance machine for your sports facility‘, the SMG SportChamp has been designed specifically for artificial turf surfaces. From routine weekly tasks to monthly sweeping and even annual deep cleans, the SMG SportChamp performs a series of tasks on all types of artificial surface. The powerful drive unit, with its vacuum and filtration system, allows for the efficient cleaning of a pitch’s granular infill, effectively removing contaminants from the surface. Numerous attachments can be used at both the front and rear of the machine, to clean the carpet fibres, groom the surface, lift the pile, decompact and regulate the infill, and control moss and vegetation levels.

At Technical Surfaces, we utilise the SMG SportChamp – and its extensive range of attachments – to complete our Power Sweeping, Revite®, deep Decompaction and Infill Top-Up works.

To give an example of the maintenance services we provide using the SMG range of machinery, we liaise regularly with Alan Ferguson, Head Groundsman at St. George’s Park, to ensure that his artificial sports facilities receive the correct maintenance routines all year round. We are currently part-way through a collaborative study with Loughborough University to investigate the cumulative effects and benefits of maintenance on artificial pitches, for which Alan has granted our researcher unique access to his pitches.

Ahead of recent FIFA testing of their indoor 3G pitch, our routine assessment highlighted that the rubber infill levels were low in high-use areas, particularly around the centre circle and in the penalty areas. If left unresolved, a low infill can negatively impact on the quality of play on the surface, and can also cause increased wear and deterioration of the artificial carpet. Crucially, low infill levels can also affect the very criteria that a FIFA Recommended pitch must adhere to in order to pass the rigorous testing procedure.

We worked closely with Alan to help remedy the effects that a pitch low on infill can experience: the onsite grounds team modified the frequency and direction of their weekly drag brushing / matting, thereby helping to lift the flattened carpet pile, while we used the SMG SportChamp with its rotating brush attachment to complete a specialist deep-cleaning Revite® of the pitch, decompacting the surface, redistributing the rubber infill and removing contaminants whilst lifting the pile. This process not only improved both the performance and appearance of the surface but also helped to extend its life. We followed this with a rubber top-up, to bring the levels in line with the carpet specification and ensure that the pitch was in optimum condition. Once topped-up, the new rubber was worked into the surface using the SMG CareMax and its oscillating brushes.

To learn more about how Technical Surfaces can help improve the condition of your artificial sports pitch, or to request your copy of our latest SMG Machinery Brochure, contact our National Office on 08702 400 700, or email sales@technicalsurfaces.co.uk.

One Leisure

One Leisure St. Ives wins pitch maintenance award (with a little help from Technical Surfaces!)

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One Leisure St Ives has won the coveted IOG Kubota/Redexim Charterhouse Best Maintained Artificial Pitch of the Year for its 3G surface, and has thanked Technical Surfaces for their efforts in helping them to achieve industry recognition.

The IOG Industry Awards recognises the achievements of grounds maintenance on natural and artificial surfaces, with categories including Grass Roots Sports Ground of the Year, Professional Sports Ground Team of the Year and Groundsman of the Year.

This year’s ceremony was hosted at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena, with One Leisure St. Ives nominated alongside Hampton School, Middlesex in the category of Best Maintained Artificial Pitch, which the IOG says “rewards the diligent maintenance of those who carry out the upkeep of their artificial surface“.

“We are very proud and honoured to receive the award, we pride ourselves very highly at the centre and it’s great recognition for the work we do”, explains Head Groundsman, Rob Bradshaw. “If you look after your surface, it will look after you, and it is with the combined efforts of our in-house maintenance and Technical Surfaces’ maintenance contract that we won this award.”

St Ives is one of five One Leisure sites managed by Huntingdonshire District Council. With more than 1.7 million people visiting One Leisure centres in 2012, their seven artificial pitches (located across Huntingdon, Ramsey, Sawtry, St Ives and St Neots) must continue to perform well all year round. So to complement each centre’s own in-house efforts, the council has employed pitch maintenance experts Technical Surfaces to provide regular specialist maintenance for five years.

“Our 3G pitch has around 70 hours of use a week,” says Rob. “Depending on hours played, our rule of thumb is 1 hour’s maintenance for every 10 hours of play. We aim to brush 3 times a week to keep the fibres up and the infill loose and we carry out regular litter picking daily on the surface. We also carry out regular checks on the posts to make sure they’re safe. We try to educate users of the facility in wearing correct footwear and try to keep general house-keeping to a high standard.”

Alongside this, Technical Surfaces’ NVQ-trained technicians carry out sweeps, decompactions, infill top-ups and vegetation treatments on a quarterly frequency, with the maintenance programme of each pitch suited for its age, size and construction.

Technical Surfaces utilises a 30-strong collection of dedicated maintenance machinery – including the SMG SportChamp and SMG CareMax – to maintain more than 420 artificial pitches nationwide. It is worth noting that Hampton School, the other finalist shortlisted for the IOG award, also use SMG machinery to carry out maintenance on their artificial sports pitch. Technical Surfaces is proud to be the sole UK Distributor of the SMG range of artificial pitch maintenance machinery, and works closely with their research team to develop new and improved machinery and equipment.

To help your artificial pitch achieve an award-winning standard of maintenance, contact Technical Surfaces on 08702 400 700, or visit www.technicalsurfaces.co.uk.

Total present at The Grass Yarn & Tufters Forum 2014

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Total will be showcasing their Lumicene® polyethylene grades for grass yarn applications during the AMI Grass Yarn & Tufters Forum that will be held 18-20 February 2014 in Barcelona, Spain.

Speak to our experts and discover our latest products at the table top exhibition that will run throughout the three day conference. On Wednesday the 19th Jeroen Wassenaar will present a lecture entitled “Advances in metallocene polyethylene for high toughness grass yarn”, in which recent raw material developments for yarns will be reviewed and we present processing and yarn characteristics of the new Lumicene® M1835.

We look forward to meeting you in Barcelona!

RADICIGROUP – TESSITURE PIETRO RADICI at the international FSB trade fair

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From 22 to 25 October 2013, the FSB International Trade Fair for Amenity Areas, Sports and Pool Facilities in Cologne was the showcase for Radigreen® artificial grass yarn. During the four-day event, Tessiture Pietro Radici SpA (TPR), the ancestral RadiciGroup company and the only supplier worldwide to offer a complete range of artificial grass yarn in both nylon and polyolefin, introduced its latest innovations for the sports and landscaping sectors.

Focus on:

– The new Radigreen® HD PE line of long-lasting fibrillated yarn and the Radigreen® MFL PE PAT monofilament range;
– The Radigreen® MFL PA family of 100% polyamide monofilament;
– My Radigreen®, an exclusive All-in-One combination of straight and textured monofilament for carpets, featuring exceptional softness, excellent coverage and light weight.

Radigreen® HD PE and Radigreen® MFL PE PAT are RadiciGroup’s latest products for the artificial grass market and are specifically designed for sports applications to fulfil one of the primary requirements of this particular sector: a fibre that lasts over time while keeping the technical characteristics of the turf unchanged for the longest time possible and preventing degradation caused by sun radiation. Radigreen® HD PE is a new range of fibrillated yarn, the combined result of the evolution of production technology and the use of high-performance polymers. Radigreen® MFL PE PAT is a new range of monofilaments.

“Today our application sectors and target markets are focusing their attention on a specific yarn performance requirement: durability,” Marianna Panico, Tessiture Pietro Radici R&D manager, explained. “Consequently, that is the direction our product development has taken. From choosing the polymer and processing technology to determining the cross-section shape of the yarn, we have worked on making high-durability, high-weavability yarns keeping in mind the ease of installation and maintenance of the synthetic turf. In the case of Radigreen® HD PE fibrillated yarn, we have used special polymers specifically designed to achieve high tear resistance, and we have invested in a new innovative fibrillation technology. For the MFL PE PAT monofilament, we have developed a solid cross-section shape, free of intrinsic weakness, and have selected a polymer that allows us to achieve superior tuft lock performance, an important feature for the yarn.”

“We have an ongoing commitment to collaborating with our customers, with the goal of providing the best solution for the end use,” Ms. Panico concluded. “It is a step-by-step process, a constant dialogue that leads us to developing tailor-made products and special additivated products, endowed with specific characteristics and ensuring the highest technical performance in their final use.”

MY RADIGREEN®: SYNTHETIC GRASS ITALIAN STYLE …
What about Italian creativity in the promotion of sustainability? It was on display in a recent installation set up in Bergamo for the international event “Masters of Landscape – International Meeting of the Landscape and Garden”. The place chosen was Piazza Vecchia [the Old Square] in Città Alta [the Upper Town], one of the most charming places in Bergamo and one of the most beautiful squares in all of Italy. On that occasion, the square was all decked out in green and transformed into a magnificent garden and outdoor living room.

One of the ambitious objectives of the “Master of Landscape” event – co-sponsored by Radigreen® and its customer SIT-IN SPORT – was to raise sustainable development awareness. The entire pavement of the Old Square was covered with synthetic turf made by SIT-IN SPORT using MY Radigreen® yarn. Tessiture Pietro Radici and SIT-IN SPORT played leading roles in showing how the outdoor use of artificial grass and synthetic turf could bring value to public and private spaces alike, opening up possibilities for unexpected uses of such spaces and making outdoor areas more liveable.

“Masters of Landscape – International Meeting of the Landscape and Garden” was a unique event with a landscape theme organized by the Municipality of Bergamo and the Arketipos association. It took place from 7 to 22 September 2013, following the great success of prior year exhibits attended by over 200,000 visitors. Watch the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t99xLVIPPfY.

Read the full press release http://www.radicigroup.com/en/news-media/press-releases/radigreen-for-sports-and-landscaping-radicigroup-at-the-international-fsb-trade-fair-13616

Italgeen, the first 100% recyclable turf in The Netherlands

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During the summer, Italgreen have installed three full size ‘Evolution Recyclable systems’ (football fields) at the RKavic football club in Amsterdam. The first being installed in August by their local partner J de Ridder BV.

This innovative system consists of a ‘Polyethylene XQ pile fiber’, whereby the back of the Evolution system is coated with polyethylene. This makes the product more homogeneous, and offers wider applications for recycling at the end of its lifetime.

Secondly, the resilience of the ‘spring back technology’ pile fibres, allows them to recover to their original position, which contributes to a better consistency, and safer playing surface. Players, clubs, football associations and federations look for these characteristics. This is a real innovative product for the artificial 3g market
place, replacing playing surfaces where ‘pile flattening’ is the norm! All Evolution fields will meet FIFA certification.

Rkavic FC are very happy with their new fields, and according to the clubs spokesman Mr. Ton Van Meerwijk ” This pitch is 200% better than our previous one, the colour alone gives it a fresh and perfect look – always looks as if it’s just been mowed!”.

Italgreen continue to research and develop this unique product – The new recyclable Evolution system – that’s environmentally friendly!

Italgreen who are based in Northern Italy, supply (besides the Evolution system) the patented Geofill system – Natural infill. Also being a FIFA licensee since
1983, continue to develop innovative sports playing systems / fields. Now with more than a 1000 installations worldwide, we are a key player in the industry, and strive towards delivering perfection and innovative products for tomorrow’s market place.

FC RKAVIC , FIFA 2 STARS certificate coming soon

New football field provides small Columbian community unlimited fun

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Recently, our installer PSport Systems, installed a new field in Istmina, a municipality and town in the Chocó department, Colombia. With an average annual precipitation of approximately 7500 mm, Istmina is the second rainiest place in the world. The ProPlay-Sport 23D shock pad was applied because of its excellent drainage characteristics. PSport Systems General director Pedro Daniel Sarmiento: ‘Since the installation, the field has suffered really heavy rains but the field stays playable and looks fantastic.’

Although Istmina is a very poor area, it has harvested important football players. A young player called Jhon Córdoba for example, is one of the most promising strikers in Colombia and has been selected for the minor national team to compete internationally. Sarmiento: ‘My father coached Jhon in Envigado FC and pull him from minor divisions to the professional team and supported him. As a sample of gratitude, young Jhon helped us get a new synthetic field in his home town.’

The new field has a major impact on the small community of Istmina. Sarmiento: ‘The locals couldn’t be happier; they were visited by the local press and people from the municipality to observe the field passing the FIFA tests. We are touched by the impact that this field has brought to this community. It is quite special to give a field of the best quality to such a small town in the middle of nowhere, where violence is everywhere. Thanks to Jhon Córdoba and Schmitz Foam Products, young kids can now be distracted from the difficulties of poverty and violence and dream of becoming professional athletes.’

Tessiture Pietro Radici Italian production site awarded UNI EN ISO 14001 and BS OHSAS 18001 certification

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RadiciGroup continues its commitment to the environment, human and individual rights, and attention to customers, products and communities. The Group is committed to sustainable economic growth, as reported in its Sustainability Report drawn up according to Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines.

Tessiture Pietro Radici SpA (TPR), RadiciGroup ancestral company engaged in the production of artificial grass yarn and nonwoven spunbond, has obtained UNI EN ISO 14001 environmental management system certification and BS OHSAS 18001 occupational health and safety management system certification.

TPR also received a renewal of its ISO 9001 certification from a new certification body, Certiquality.

During the past few weeks, Tessiture Pietro Radici SpA (TPR) – RadiciGroup ancestral production company and leader in the production of artificial grass yarn and nonwoven spunbond, sold under the brand names Radigreen® and Dylar®, respectively – celebrated a twofold achievement on the environmental and safety fronts. TPR was awarded two important certifications: UNI EN ISO 14001:2004 for environmental management systems and BS OHSAS 18001:2007 for occupational health and safety management systems. These two recognitions demonstrate RadiciGroup’s concrete commitment to developing, implementing and improving its group-wide policies on environmental and occupational health and safety management. The Group’s primary objectives include the sustainability of its industrial activities, safeguarding natural resources by reducing the environmental footprint of its products, and improving the health and safety of its workers.

“We set out to implement our management systems in accordance with the requirements of the two international certification standards at a fast pace,” Paola Panzeri, quality manager of Tessiture Pietro Radici, explained. “We started the projects for both the environmental and safety management systems in April of last year. During the months that followed, we performed internal audits for the purpose of monitoring the process, performance and progress status. In June of this year we completed step one of the certification, the feasibility audit, and in July, stage two, the actual certification audits, both with positive outcomes. Lastly, in August, the two important certifications were made official.”

Enrico Buriani, CEO of Tessiture Pietro Radici, expressed great satisfaction: “Today, customer loyalty may also be gained and built through the level of reliability we are able to provide. And the actions we have taken to improve the efficiency of our management systems are steps toward strengthening our position as a reliable supplier.“

“I am proud of our achievements,” Mr. Buriani continued. ”The two certification processes required great effort, resources and commitment on the part of all TPR staff at all levels. Our employees worked together as a team, showing their awareness of and strongly participating in all facets of the 14001 and 18001 certifications. I believe that making employees aware of the issues and developing a corporate culture are among the key aspects of certification processes like the ones we have undertaken. This way the work approach is guided by the recognition of the importance of health and safety issues.”

New soccer pitch for small Colombian community

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Recently, our installer PSport Systems, installed ProPlay-Sport23D on a field in Istmina, a municipality and town in the Chocó department, Colombia. With an average annual precipitation of 7500 mm, Istmina is the second rainiest place in the world. PSport Systems General director Pedro Daniel Sarmiento: ‘Since the installation, the field has suffered really heavy rains but it stays playable and looks fantastic.’ 

Although Istmina is a very poor area, it has harvested important football players. A young player called Jhon Córdoba for example, is one of the most promising strikers in Colombia and has been selected for minor national team to compete internationally. Sarmiento: ‘My father coached Jhon in Envigado FC and pull him from minor divisions to the professional team and supported him. As a sample of gratitude, young Jhon helped us get a new synthetic field in his home town.’ 

The new field has a major impact on the small community of Istmina. Sarmiento: ‘The locals couldn’t be happier; they were visited by the local press and people from the municipality to observe the field passing the FIFA tests. We are touched by the impact that this field has brought to this community, to give the best quality to such a small town in the middle of nowhere, where violence is everywhere because of the gold and platinum war the region is suffering. Thanks to Jhon Córdoba and Schmitz Foam Products, young kids can now dream of becoming professional athletes and distract from the difficulties of poverty and violence.’

For more information on Schmitz Foam Products, visit www.schmitzfoam.com

 

Polytan shows its versatility in the Far East

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2013 is one of the most successful years in China for Polytan and its long-standing partner company, C. Melchers GmbH & Co. From the north of China to the neighbouring country of Myanmar, several projects drawing on the entire Polytan product portfolio have already been implemented this year, from hockey pitches and Polytan|STI football pitches to a variety of circular running track systems.

Polytan fitted out two stadiums in Nay Pyi Taw City (Myanmar) with WS running tracks back in January, followed in September by the installation of a further WS track in Mandalay for the South-East Asian Games 2013.

In May, a two-tone LigaTurf football pitch was laid and the installed running track renewed at Beijing Jiaotong University (China). After the running track at Beijing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics last year, this is the second track in brilliant Hertha Blue that Polytan has installed in Beijing.

In tandem with this, work began in May on two projects in Dalian (China) for the China National Games, which are due to be held in September 2013. At Liaoning Maritime Sports School  the Polytan team installed two MegaTurf Cool Plus hockey pitches, one of which is certified to FIH Global standards – a first for Polytan in China. The facility has also been extended by two further Poligras hockey pitches by STI. When it comes to running tracks, those in charge have also opted for Polytan: at Dalian Sports Center they have installed a circular track in the main stadium, a warm-up track and two indoor areas – nearly 30,000m2 of the Polytan M system in total. What’s more, the circular track in the main stadium is IAAF Class I-certified.

With outstanding references and the benefit of experience gained during the entire project phase, Polytan/Polytan|STI and their local teams have once again proven to be reliable partners for the best sports facilities in China. The foundation for a successful 2013/2014 season has been laid.