Polytan GmbH is a German manufacturer of artificial turf systems and synthetic sport surfaces. It is based in Burgheim, Bavaria, and is a subsidiary of Sport Group Holding GmbH.
History Polytan was founded in 1970 as Firl + Schretter Sportstättenbau in Neuburg an der Donau and, initially, installed polyurethane-bound in-situ synthetic surfaces for sports facilities.Hofer, Joachim (2016-08-07). "Sport Group liefert Olympia-Kunstrasen". Handelsblatt, retrieved 2022-12-09.
In 1995, Polytan started to develop synthetic turf systems and acquired a production facility for synthetic turf and polyurethane in Grefrath (North Rhine-Westphalia).
In 2003, a coating and extrusion plant for synthetic turf was installed at the production facility in Grefrath. In the same year, the company acquired a FIFA license to be able to provide turfs for official games. As organisations as FIFA and UEFA increasingly accepted artificial turfs for professional sports in the 2000s, Polytan installed turfs in stadiums and arenas in various countries."Firma Polytan", in: Sächsische Zeitung, p. 20., 1 August 2008, retrieved 4 April 2023.Kunz, Ruedi: "YB kickt bald auf Kunstrasen", in: Der Bund, p. 22., 28, March 2006, retrieved 4 April 2023.
From 2007 to 2009, Polytan bought production and installation companies in Australia, Germany and France.
In 2019, the first sustainable artificial turf, LigaTurf Cross GT zero, was introduced. Since ECHA has proposed a ban on the synthetic application of microplastics, which is still being discussed by the EU Commission, in 2020, Polytan has started to put additional effort into developing and installing sustainable tracks and turf systems made from recycled materials and Brazilian sugarcane.Susanne Träupmann (2020-08-14). "Kunstrasen aus brasilianischem Zuckerrohr". Bonner General-Anzeiger (in German), retrieved 2023-01-18.Bastian Sünkel (2020-08-01). "Kork statt Kohle", in: Fränkischer Tag (in German), retrieved 2023-01-18.
With Poligras Paris GT zero, Polytan developed the world's first CO2-neutral artificial turf for the field hockey arena for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Products Polytan manufactures, distributes and installs high-speed tracks,Tobias Klingen (2010-10-21). "Kicken ohne Rasenmäher", in: Westdeutsche Zeitung (in German), retrieved 2023-02-02. all-weather courts, tennis courts and shock-absorbent surfaces, as well as synthetic turf systemsDominik Hauns (2005-07-07). "Manager hören das Kunstgras wachsen". Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (in German), retrieved 2023-01-18.Willy Schweer (2020-12-10). "Die Suche nach dem idealen Kompromiss". Westfälische Rundschau (in German), retrieved 2023-01-18. and multifunctional playing fields.
Polytan has been producing and installing CO2-neutral artificial turfs since 2019. The LigaTurf Cross GT zero"Nachhaltig und im Besitz der Sportfreunde". Schwäbische Zeitung (2021-04-21),(in German). Retrieved 2023-03-13. is used for professional training facilities, amateur and professional clubs, sports schools and municipal sports facilities. Poligras Paris GT zero is a CO2-neutral artificial turf used for field hockey.Wille, Joachim (2019-11-28). "Super-Rohstoff CO2". Frankfurter Rundschau (in German). Retrieved 2023-03-13.
Company Structure Polytan GmbH is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sport Group Holding. The managing directors of Polytan GmbH are Gregor Gaisböck and Mathias Schmidt. Polytan has 550 employees (as of 2023) and achieved revenue of 300 million euro in 2022.
Polytan's headquarters are in Burgheim, with additional locations in Berlin and Halle. An additional location is in France (Polytan France). Outside Europe, Polytan has branches in Melbourne (Australia), Hong Kong and Wellington (New Zealand).Sport Group TopCo GmbH (2023-01-09). "Konzernabschluss zum Geschäftsjahr vom 1 January 2021 bis zum 31.12.2021". Bundesanzeiger. (in German)
References
External links Synthetic Grass