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The Synthetic Turf Council (STC) – a non-profit trade association serving the synthetic turf industry – invites you to join the 2023 STC Annual Conference on October 16 – 18 to celebrate the STC’s 20th anniversary. The conference will take place in New Orleans, LA at the InterContinental New Orleans Hotel. The theme, "The Power of STC Starts with You," emphasizes the importance of individual responsibility and action in achieving the goals of the larger organization, highlighting that the power of our association truly starts with each and every member.

EC is carrying out unannounced inspections at the premises of companies active in the synthetic turf industry in several Member States. The Commission has concerns that the inspected companies may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices. The Commission officials were accompanied by their counterparts from the national competition authorities of the Member States where the inspections were carried out.

Australian government scientists have expressed increasing concerns about the potential risks to human health and the environment posed by synthetic turf, and they are calling for further investigation and regulation of its use. A new report by the Chief Scientist of New South Wales (NSW) reveals the presence of toxic chemicals, including heavy metals and volatile organic compounds, in the rubber infill of synthetic turf. However, it is still important to find out if there is a risk of migration or if it is just a presence.

Learn about the developments of chemical recycling and how it works for artificial turf at the upcoming online webinar by Synthetic Turf Council (STC): Date: Thursday, March 9, 2023 Time: 11:00 AM (EST), UTC -5 Environmental responsibility is an important issue for the turf industry and it is critical to stay informed about the latest advancements. In this webinar, STC takes a closer look at the process of chemical recycling and uncover the opportunities and challenges it presents for end-of-life turf.

European Commission asks the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to assess potential risks in playgrounds. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in synthetic turf infill materials will be reviewed for potential risks by ECHA. The European Commission (EC) ordered the agency to analyze any dangers to children in a letter dated January 6 to ECHA executive director Sharon McGuinness. The study's scope includes loose mulches and granulated PAHs used in playgrounds, gardens and landscaping. According to the EC, the assessment's goal is to determine if the respective applicable concentration limits for eight PAHs found in infill materials are effective.

Episode 40 of the Tyre Recycling Podcast run by Ewan Scott – chief editor of Tyre and Rubber Recycling magazine – is continuing the topic of the EU's proposed ban on crumb rubber in synthetic turf fields. The guest of the Podcast is ETRA's, Dr. Ettore Musacchi. In this podcast, Dr. Ettore Musacchi tells about the proposed ban and what it means for the tyre recycling sector and the environment.

Episode 39 of the Tyre Recycling Podcast run by Ewan Scott – chief editor of Tyre and Rubber Recycling magazine – is devoted to the EU's proposed ban on crumb rubber in synthetic turf fields. The guest of the Podcast is Poul Steen Rasmussen, Chair of the Mechanical Tyre Recovery Group at EuRIC. In this podcast, Poul Steen Rasmussen tells about the proposed ban and what it means for the tyre recycling sector and the environment.

An online magazine sportsfields.info focused on technology and business aspects of synthetic turf fields recently published an article criticising EU's decision to ban crumb rubber infill in artificial turf. Indeed, this month's announcement by the European Commission that it will recommend a ban on the sale of polymeric infill within six years and ignore the difference so-called risk management measures can make, has been met with disbelief and outright anger by some organisations in the industry.

The EMEA Synthetic Turf Council (ESTC) takes note of the publication of the European Commission's recommendations for the implementation of limitations for the introduction of purposely added microplastics onto the European market (Annex XVII REACH1). The best strategy to limit microplastic emissions, according to the Commission, is to ban the sale of purposefully added microplastic infill for synthetic turf systems in the future (most often, end-of-life tyre shred).