Our top product LigaTurf Cross GTR at the Heinz-Dettmer Stadium in Lohne

All-round green: Artificial turf for a sustainable future

The city of Lohne is located in the Oldenburg Münsterland. Known as the “city of specialized industries,” Lohne has built a reputation beyond its region, with sports being a key aspect of local life since the 19th century to balance the hard work of its population. Today, the city’s website lists 18 sports clubs. One such club, based in the Heinz-Dettmer Stadium, is TuS Blau-Weiß Lohne, which boasts 4,000 members across 16 divisions, such as football, basketball, karate, judo, table tennis, billiards, American football with the Lohne Longhorns, boxing, handball, swimming, and track athletics. The stadium has a capacity of 6,000 spectators, with about 600 covered seats on the main stand. Nearby are a training pitch measuring 113 x 65 m and a small game field measuring 61 x 50 m. Until 2022, natural grass was used here, but in cooperation with the landscaping architects Brinkmann + Deppen GbR from Sassenberg, we installed our LigaTurf Cross GTR with infill made of cork. The decision-makers in Lohne chose one of the most advanced products from Polytan’s “Green Technology” portfolio. This product utilizes bio-based plastics derived from residual sugarcane material that is no longer suitable for food production. Additionally, PCR (post-consumer recycling) is used during manufacturing – that is, plastics that have already been recycled. The smooth filaments of LigaTurf Cross GTR consist of at least 20% recycled plastics, while the textured fibers are made of approximately 80% bio-based plastics. The production of LigaTurf Cross GTR is also green: 100% eco-energy is used. For the infill, cork – a natural, renewable raw material with excellent shock absorption – is applied on a sand layer. The result is a low-maintenance and durable artificial turf system designed for training and sports facilities, meeting professional athletes’ demands while raising the bar for climate protection and sustainability in synthetic turf systems. This installation demonstrates that the future of artificial turf is sustainable and green. The pitch predominantly serves the football players of TuS Blau-Weiß Lohne but is also used by the American football team Lohne Longhorns, for whom football field markings were added. The small field next to the stadium was also equipped by us in 2020 with our LigaTurf Cross featuring Cool-Plus technology. We are delighted to add that Polytan received another order from Lohne to construct a new artificial turf field on a former natural grass area. In autumn 2023, our LigaTurf Cross with Cool-Plus technology will be installed there.