artificial lawn and putting green install leader
AMI sees good growth in plastic grass.
26 March 2008 – Global demand for artificial turf is growing at 20%
per annum, according to a report by UK consultancy AMI.
The report's author John Nash said: "Soccer and residential
landscaping applications were the hot spots in 2007, but strong demand
was enjoyed in most regions of the world and in most applications for
artificial grass."
AMI said the industry now accounts for over 600,000 tonnes of product,
which encompasses the polymers used for the grass "carpet" as well as
other components of artificial turf such as the elastomeric rubber
infill and the underlay. The group estimates the market value of the
grass carpet alone was €1.25bn in 2007.
The report places Europe at the top of the artificial turf league,
accounting for a 43% share of the global market in 2007. It is
followed by the North American region (28% share) and the Far East
region (17% share).
AMI said product improvements have brought synthetic turf into the
mainstream of surfaces used for both sports and landscaping
applications.
The grass yarns, made from polyethylene, polypropylene and polyamide,
are fast developing both in terms of the performance of the polymer,
and also the shape of the yarns and their bonding into the backing
tape, whether by styrene butadiene latex or polyurethane.
Infill used on top of the artificial turf is predominantly SBR
(styrene butadiene rubber) sourced from grinding up and recycling car
tyres, but new thermoplastic elastomers are being offered which
address specific requirements. There has been development work on the
underlay, acting as a shock pad, which is becoming increasingly
important to the performance of the system as a whole.
The AMI report also noted "substantial M&A activity as participants
use mergers and acquisitions to build and reshape their businesses".
Acquisitions over the last 18 months have involved FieldTurf Tarkett,
TenCate Thiolon, Low and Bonar, and private equity purchases of
Sportexe, Sprinturf and Desso.