Early adopters of the ProPlay® shock absorbing layer are currently reaping the benefits. A growing number of installations are proving that the lifespan meets expectations, thereby enabling clubs and stadium owners to offer a safe and durable surface over a longer period of time and achieve significant savings when renewing their synthetic turf surfaces. Engineered systems like synthetic turf fields enable field owners to control the quality and safety of their fields. However, they often fail to recognise the importance of a shockpad. ‘I have had clients and architects in the past considering various pads to reduce the Gmax results of their field,’ Craig Shonk of Midwest Synthetic Turf says. ‘The price of adding a pad was just simply out of their budget. As an alternative, they requested a taller pile height turf, which allowed for more rubber to be added to the infill system. That helped lower the Gmax but it also makes the field so soft underfoot that you increase the fatigue in your lower body. The experience is similar to running on dry sand on a beach vs running on wet sand.’ Shonk has become a strong advocate of using shockpads. ‘A pad gives you the reduction in Gmax results but maintains a firm and fast surface underfoot because of the higher sand content in the sand/rubber infill mix. Putting a pad under the turf is always the best option, if you can afford it.’
‘ProPlay® shock and drainage pads are produced from foam products that, for one or another reason, ended up not being used,’ Jens Ulb, Sales Director of Schmitz Foam Products explains. ‘These products already passed the quality tests at their respective producers and provide us with the perfect raw material to enable us to produce a superior shock-absorbing panel.’ As a result, the company’s CO2 footprint is limited. ‘Best of all is that we prevent quality products that were not used for their intended purpose from ending up in the waste stream.’
Schmitz Foam Products B.V.
www.schmitzfoam.com
