Polytan GmbH is a German manufacturer of synthetic turf systems and synthetic sport surfaces. It is based in Burgheim, Bavaria, and is a subsidiary of Sport Group Holding GmbH.[1]
Company 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.[2]
In 1995, Polytan started to develop synthetic turf systems and acquired a production facility for synthetic turf and polyurethane in Grefrath (North Rhine-Westfalia).[3]
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.[4] 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.[5][6]
From 2007 to 2009, Polytan bought production and installation companies in Australia, Germany and France.[7]
In 2019, the first sustainable artificial turf, LigaTurf Cross GT zero, was introduced.[8] Since ECHA has proposed a ban on the synthetic application of microplastics, which is still being discussed by the EU Commission, in 2020,[9] Polytan has started to put additional effort into developing and installing sustainable tracks and turf systems made from recycled materials and Brazilian sugarcane.[10][8]
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.[11]
Products
Polytan manufactures, distributes and installs high-speed tracks,[12] all-weather courts, tennis courts and shock-absorbent surfaces, as well as synthetic turf systems[13][14] and multifunctional playing fields.[15]
Polytan has been producing and installing CO2-neutral artificial turfs since 2019. The LigaTurf Cross GT zero[16] is used for professional training facilities, amateur and professional clubs, sports schools and municipal sports facilities. Poligras Paris GT zero[17] is a CO2-neutral artificial turf used for field hockey.[18][19]
Company Structure
Polytan GmbH is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sport Group Holding.[2] The managing directors of Polytan GmbH are Gregor Gaisböck and Mathias Schmidt. Polytan has 550 employees (as of 2023)[20] and achieved revenue of 300 million euro in 2022.[21]
