Artificial Grass, also known as Artificial Turf, is a product that’s used in many different products all over the globe. Although it is often associated with traditional sports like Baseball and Tennis, Artificial Grass has become a popular product that can be used to replace gardens. It is also used in airports all over the world to deter wildlife and reduce maintenance costs. Although the term “Astroturf” is often used, it is actually the name of the turf that was most popular in the 1960s. This market started for Artificial Turf. Artificial Grass can be defined as a synthetic surface that looks and performs like natural grass. It is interesting to learn more about the evolution and creation of artificial grass than you might initially think.
History
Artificial turf was first used in the 1940s. This initial product was manufactured by the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co. This rubbery material was developed by the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co to allow athletes to use it for training, minimizing risk, and maximizing their performance. They created one of the famous artificial turf brand, which is still in existence today. Twenty years later, David Chaney, a North Carolina researcher, and his team at Research Triangle Park created the first known form of Artificial Grass. This product saw a surge in interest and Chaney became the man who produced millions of welcome mats for indoor Major League Baseball.
Chemgrass was the first major player in Artificial Turf’s market. After a year of indoor usage, Chemgrass was used to replace the entire grass field at the Astrodome, Houston, Texas. John A. Wortman, a Chemgrass employee, changed the name of the product to gain greater recognition and popularity. This was a strategy that has helped Astroturf to survive. After installing Artificial Grass in his Garage to protect his bio-diesel engine, the American Hockey Federation in Montreal in 1976 was the next major commercial use.
Evolution
Artificial grass or artificial turf Denver has seen an indefinite rise since their introduction in the Astrodome. With an annual growth rate of around 20% and an estimated global market value of 1.3 billion pounds, artificial grass products are on the increase indefinitely. However, the product has undergone extensive R+D to ensure that it has been improved over time. Generations refer to the different stages in the evolution of Artificial Grass. The most recent official product is 3G.
- First Generation: Turf was made of short-pile fibers and had no infill.
- Second Generation: Turf improved upon this by using an infill of sand
- Third Generation: Turf is made from a mix of sand, rubber, and other recycled materials. It can be distinguished from real grass from afar.
Although there have been claims of 4th-5th generation sports pitches made of artificial turf, none have been approved by FIFA, RFL, or RFU (all of whom have approved 3G pitches), The 4th Gen is intended to perform as a 3G pitch, but without infill. The 5th Gen uses only rubber infill in its surfacing. The 6th Gen’s benefits are still to be determined and appear to be a marketing term for new pitches.
