Stefan Diderich, Director General/ CEO, ESTC

• Developments and challenges
• From the past, present and future
• From the perspective of a urban customer/consumer

Torge Hauschild, City of Hamburg

An inspirational presentation about the fascinating developments in AI impacting business and society.The Next Step in AI:  

• Major technology trends impacting our companies and business models  
• Tomorrow's organization  
• The future of leadership

Richard Van Hooijdonk, Trendwatcher & Futurist, Future Frontiers 

Opening Speech from the Chair -  Paul Fraser 

• Update of ESTC's PR activities in 2024 
• Work programme for 2025 

Joe Reilly, WPR Agency 

• Presentation of the EFRE/MWK funded project "RewitAl"
• Recycling potential of synthetic turf
• First insights into experimental results

Prof Dr-Ing Iman Taha, Aalen University

Tina Kramer, the recipient of last year's Personality Award, will have the honor of presenting the 2025 award to an individual who made significant contributions to the synthetic turf industry and to ESTC in the past year.  This awardee was selected through a vote by the ESTC membership.

Vincent du Granrut, Head of EPR Furniture, Ecomaison

• What is an EPR
• The Challenge of Collecting
• Recycling Issues

Ecomaison is a government-approved eco-organisation responsible for the collection, sorting, reuse and recycling of household products in France

• What is the current status ?  
• Why do we need EPR in the carpet industry ? 
• What are the next steps to be taken to implement the concept ?

Hans-Peter Breuer, Managing Director, ECRA (European Carpet & Rug Association)

Reporting on the current status of the project, challenges and targets for the future 

Alastair Cox, Technical Director, ESTC 

Panellists :

• Pernilla Holgersson (BeKoGr)
• Wilko Zuidema (NOC*NSF)
• Chris Barry (the Football Foundation)

Moderator : Matthias Eiles (DFB) 

This panel discussion will explore the perspectives of consumers, highlighting their experiences, challenges and expectations related to PEF in the context of sustainability while also addressing the broader implications for the synthetic turf industry.

• The role of BALI in advancing landscape excellence
• Embracing diverse landscaping solutions : Natural Grass vs Synthetic Turf 

Wayne Grills, Head of BALI (British Association of Landscape Industries) & 

Mark Gregory, Landform Consultants 

An enjoyable networking dinner at a traditional German restaurant 'Erdinger am Gendarmenmarkt'.

• Financial Reporting - 2024 Financial Statement & 2025 Budget
• Membership Fee Structure & Fees  

Frenk Stoop, Treasurer & Stefan Diderich, Director General/CEO

ESTC Members only

• Interest Group Shockpad - Jens Ulb
• Interest Group Maintenance - Alex Bobeica
• Interest Group Infill - Joana Trindade
• Interest Group End of Life - Eric O'Donnell
• Interest Group Landscape/Steering Committee Landscape Turf Producers - Manu Noppen
• Interest Group Landscape Installers & Distributors - Annemie Baeyaert 
• Interest Group Water Management - André Piels
• Task Force PFAS - Jacki Stephen
• Task Force Yarn Wear - Colin Young
• Task Force PEF 

Alastair Cox, Technical Director, ESTC 

• Regulation 22 Overview
• Ground Control Study
• Future Plans

Davide Babetto, Turf & Equipment Technical Specialist, World Rugby 

• The new 2024 FIFA product test reports
• Pitch certification with the new test manual
• Ongoing development for the Artificial Football Turf Programme

Mickael Benetti, FIFA

• Hockey's transition to Dry Turf surfaces
• Dual use turfs for football and hockey
• 2025 review of FIH Hockey Turf and Field Standards

Alastair Cox, FIH 

• Artificial grass combines vibrant aesthetics with unmatched functionality, offering a fresh alternative to traditional EPDM  
• Transforming boring safety surfaces spaces with customizable, educational and colorful designs  
• Limitless customization with patterns and colors, inspiring architects to create one-of-a-kind spaces

Dror Ozeri, COLOR PLAY LDA

• PhD-Backed Innovation: L-SID stems from advanced research, integrating cutting-edge materials with innovative engineering for exceptional performance.
• Advanced Functionality: The device is designed to replicate realistic player-surface interactions, simulating the impact and sliding motion of a knee across a surface for accurate injury analysis.
• Compact Design: L-SID is lightweight and portable, making it highly adaptable for on-field and laboratory use.

Max MacFarlane, SPORTS LABS

• Typical sports fields systems
• LCA methods shock pads
• Examples of cost-effective renovation projects

Marcel Spaan,   Application Engineer, SCHMITZ

• What need to be changed in the system for the extrusion of recycled LLDPE?
• Which products are focussed and which qualities can be achieved?
• Where are the challenges and impacts in efficiency?

Jens Weinhold, STC SPINNZWIRN

• The circular loop of rebonded foam shockpads
• Quality of shockpads with post consumer recycled material content
• Longibility and reasons for recycling of a shockpad

Björn Hammel, NEVEON

• Data-Driven Insights: The technology utilizes real-time data to monitor field usage and wear patterns, ensuring optimal maintenance and extending the lifespan of sports facilities.
• Proactive Maintenance: By predicting maintenance needs based on actual real-time data, Intelligent Plays sensors reduces downtime, improves field performance, and minimizes resource costs.
• Success at Every Level: From grassroots fields to elite stadiums, and from traditional artificial turf systems to organic, Intelligent Play have worked with over 1000 facilities to ensure fields play better, last longer, play safer and be greener.

Nick Talton, INTELLIGENT PLAY

• Innovative Polyethylene design for artificial turf filaments boosting productivity and performance in yarn production
• Polyethylene designed for sports and landscaping applications
• Dow's innovative approach to developing sustainable solutions for artificial turf

Albert Carbonell, DOW

Reporting on the research commissioned and the work done by the ESTC Task Force Yarn Durability

Colin Young, Chair Task Force Yarn Durability

• Converting the community to accepting the "new generation" of environmentally friendly synthetic grass surfaces 
• How to embrace the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (SDG's) to provide a balanced lens to the local community 
• Utilizing 3D design technology to  allow the community to "walk" through the whole park and dispel community concerns 

Martin Sheppard, Managing Director, SMART CONNECTION CONSULTANCY
 

Stefan Diderich, Director General/CEO, ESTC