1969

Firl + Schretter Sportstättenbau OHG is founded and "Polytan" is registered as a trademark.

 

1974

PRATER STADIUM, VIENNA

Polytan installs a synthetic surface (Polytan M) at an international athletics stadium.

 

1995

Polytan acquires a production site for synthetic turf and polyurethane in Grefrath (North Rhine Westphalia).

 

1996

OLYMPIASTADION MÜNCHEN

Polytan updates the 1972 track in time for the Spar European Athletics Cup, laying a state-of-the-art Polytan PUR surface using a re-topping process.

 

2002

COMPLETE RENOVATION OF OLYMPIASTADION MÜNCHEN

To prepare the site for the 18th European Athletics Championships, the whole of the old track is taken up and replaced with a brand new Polytan M track in brick red.

 

2003

NEW SYNTHETIC TURF PRODUCTION PLANT IN GREFRATH

2003 sees the introduction of fully vertical manufacturing for synthetic turf products at Polytan.

 

PARTICIPATION IN THE FIFA QUALITY PROGRAMME FOR FOOTBALL TURF

Polytan becomes a licensee in the FIFA Quality Programme for Football Turf and installs the first FIFA Recommended 2 Star certified synthetic turf pitch.

2004

LA PAZ, BOLIVIA

Polytan installs its highest situated football field to date, 4,000 m above sea level. The low-oxygen climate makes laying the 9,000 m² synthetic pitch a challenge, and everything first has to be transported up in a lift.

 

2005

SYNTHETIC FOOTBALL TURF FOR EUROPEAN PREMIER LEAGUE TEAMS

Polytan lays a synthetic pitch system at the Red Bull Arena Salzburg, the first premier league home stadium in Europe to be equipped with such technology. Further premier league clubs in Europe soon follow suit, with pitches being laid at the Stade de Suisse in Bern and the Stadion La Maladière at FC Xamax Neuchatel. 

 

U17 WORLD CUP IN PERU

The U17s Football World Cup in Peru becomes the first tournament in footballing history to have all 31 matches played on synthetic turf. Four of the five host stadiums are equipped with Polytan products: the Lima main stadium as well as the arenas in Trujillo, Chiclayo and Piura.

 

2007

Polytan develops its market and quality leadership worldwide by acquiring the companies STI, EnviroSport and Sportsbygg.

 

2011/2012

Polytan|STI becomes preferred producer to FIFA and preferred supplier to the FIH for world rugby. Polytan also builds the hockey pitch for the Olympic Games in London.

 

2015

WOMEN'S FOOTBALL WORLD CUP IN CANADA

For the first time ever, all matches for the Women's Football World Cup are played on synthetic turf. Polytan provides a synthetic turf system for the BC Place stadium in Vancouver, which hosted the finals in Canada.

 

2016

POLYTAN ON AN INTERNATIONAL STAGE

Polytan is also represented at major international sports events: the company equips the hockey field in Rio, the running track in Amsterdam Olympic Stadium for the European Athletics Championships, and the pitch edging in two European Championship stadiums in France. AstroTurf and ProGrass also become part of the corporate group, increasing its market presence in North America.