Hagihara Industries improves the weather resistance and durability of synthetic turf by using cutting-edge Tinuvin® formulas.
The J-League football practice pitch in Okayama Prefecture, Japan, now boasts turf that is incredibly durable. Tinuvin® is the best option for outdoor applications that are resistant to weather.
Together, BASF, a world leader in chemical innovation, and Hagihara Industries, Inc., a top Japanese manufacturer of synthetic fibres, are creating extremely resilient polyolefin yarns for artificial grass used in sports venues such as baseball fields, tennis courts, and football stadiums. Following three years of joint research and development, the two businesses have developed a sophisticated formulation with a range of Tinuvin® grades that greatly improves synthetic grass’s resilience to sun damage and guarantees that it keeps its vivid colour.
“Improving the yarns’ resistance to constant exposure to sunlight and harsh weather conditions was one of the challenges we faced when producing artificial grass yarns,” stated Norio Funakoshi, Chief of Fundamental Research Section, Hagihara Industries, Inc. Funakoshi continued, “BASF stepped in to address this issue by recommending the ideal blend of additives, as our customers were looking for enhanced durability.”
As an umbrella to protect against the sun’s harmful effects, BASF’s line of light stabilisers is made to transform UV radiation into innocuous thermal energy. Polymers can be attacked by certain UV radiation, which reduces their elongation and strength. However, this radical reaction can be successfully avoided by using specific Tinuvin® grades.
By successfully integrating the sophisticated formulation of these compounds into their yarn manufacturing process, Hagihara Industries produced artificial turf with a ten-year lifespan. Fagiano Okayama, a J-League football team in Okayama Prefecture, is in charge of maintaining the practice field’s incredibly resilient artificial turf. The quality of the turf has been praised.
“We are excited to showcase the successful collaboration between BASF and Hagihara Industries,” stated Hazel Sprafke, Asia Pacific’s Vice President of Global Business Management for Plastic Additives. “This partnership demonstrates our dedication to meeting our clients’ needs via ongoing innovation and practical solutions.”
As a reliable innovation partner, BASF consistently pushes the envelope of what is conceivable. In addition to synthetic grass, BASF’s extensive line of light stabilisers provides adaptable solutions for tough outdoor uses like pool covers, construction tarps and heavy-duty waterproof sheets. BASF’s creative solutions guarantee that its plastics sector partners can produce high-quality, long-lasting, and reasonably priced goods.