Desso Grass at 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM)

News provided by

Apr 01, 2010, 05:30 ET

DENDERMONDE, Belgium, April 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time in history, a FIFA World Cup(TM) will be played on grass pitches that are partly made up of artificial grass. Desso Sports Systems have been asked by the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa to install a Desso GrassMaster system in two match venues for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa(TM).

Sustainable solution during and after the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM)

Over the next few weeks, the Desso GrassMaster system will be installed at the stadiums in Nelspruit (Mbombela) and Polokwane (Peter Mokaba). With a capacity of around 45,000 spectators, both new stadiums will each be hosting four group matches. Amongst others Italy, Ivory Coast, Argentina, Australia and France will be playing one of their matches in these stadiums.

The Desso GrassMaster- system is made up of a 100% natural grass surface, into which 20 million artificial turf fibres have been injected to a depth of 20 cm. The roots of the natural grass intertwine with the artificial fibres, which anchors the field into a stable and a level grass surface. The installation of the Desso GrassMaster system is scheduled for the end of April.

With this type of pitch, the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) will have a perfect pitch throughout the tournament. Over a short period of only several weeks, the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) stadiums will be used intensely for training and matches. Thanks to the reinforcement of artificial grass fibres, Desso GrassMaster offers reliable pitches in all weather conditions. After the tournament, the pitch will continue to serve for football and for rugby games.

Stef Kranendijk, CEO Desso: "Supplying the stadium pitches for the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) is obviously a prestigious project for our company. By doing so, we hope to contribute to the legacy of this tournament and to inspire future top events."

Desso GrassMaster already successful with international top clubs

The grass system has already proven its reliability at the highest level; Arsenal FC, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, AZ Alkmaar play on a Desso GrassMaster system in their stadiums.

Desso GrassMaster has also been used successfully for both rugby and American Football, including top clubs such as American National Football League's Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles.

Desso Sports Systems: 30 years of international experience in artificial turf

Desso Sports Systems is known internationally as the innovative artificial turf specialist. With its focus on R&D, its in-house production of artificial turf fibres, installation and maintenance, Desso has accumulated unique experience over the past 30 years. Desso has already installed more than 50 million m squared of artificial turf and Desso GrassMaster at elite and amateur clubs all over the world. Nor is Desso a stranger to South Africa: the Desso GrassMaster pitch in Newlands Stadium is considered to be the best stadium pitch in South Africa.

About Desso Sports Systems

Desso Sports Systems is the market leader in sports fields. The company produces 3,000,000 m squared of artificial turf annually for football, rugby and hockey pitches as well as tennis courts and multi-functional fields. The reinforced natural grass system, Desso GrassMaster, is also internationally successful with professional and amateur football clubs. Chelsea, Real Madrid, Arsenal FC, AZ Alkmaar, Feyenoord and others play and/or train daily on Desso grass surfaces. Desso Sports Systems is a FIFA Preferred Producer for artificial turf pitches for football. Desso Sports Systems is part of Desso, well known for contract carpeting and carpet tiles for offices, public buildings, schools, hospitals and airlines. Sustainability and creativity are important key values that become part of the design and the Cradle-to-Cradle objectives. Its clients include Rabobank, ABN-AMRO, KPN, KLM, Marriot Hotels and Virgin Atlantic.

http://www.dessosports.com/southafrica2010

SOURCE Desso