Five-Year Contract Strengthens Partnership Between elf5 and the Innovation Driver – 1st Polytan Cup in Summer 2023

State-of-the-art synthetic turf systems and synthetic surfaces are both the business focus and passion of Polytan. With its 600 employees and over 50 years of tradition, the company is part of the Sport Group Holding GmbH, which comprises 20 companies from nine countries. From FIFA World Cups and Olympic Games to modern stadium projects – Polytan boasts an extensive list of references. However, the company not only reflects on its successful history but also focuses firmly on the future, particularly on the development of green technologies. These innovations have been benefiting footballers of all ages at the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld in Jena since September 2021.

Polytan CEO Friedemann Söll says, "We are always looking for projects with a multiplier effect, and Jena fits the bill perfectly. With the new synthetic turf, we wanted to showcase everything Polytan can offer." And that is quite a lot, as Pierre Köhler, Regional Manager for Saxony and Thuringia, explains: "Jena now has one of the most advanced synthetic turf fields worldwide. It is highly appreciated by athletes and stands up to heavy use while meeting the highest standards. Moreover, it enables training-specific and sports science analyses. Additionally, it is the world's first 100 percent CO2-neutral synthetic football turf." Peter Herbig, Sales Director for the D-A-CH region at Polytan, elaborates: "We use renewable raw materials, such as byproducts from sugar production, in the creation of our plastics. Furthermore, we utilize green energy during the manufacturing process."

The sustainable approach also applies to the installation and maintenance of our products," says Polytan. But what happens to synthetic turf surfaces after a long lifecycle? CEO Friedemann Söll explains, "We are developing our own recycling concept in which we, together with our new company FormaTurf GmbH, create new products from old synthetic turf that can then be reused in sports facility construction." Andreas Kuhn, Managing Director of elf5, is pleased that the partnership, which began in 2021, will continue to grow in the coming years. "It all started with the new synthetic turf at the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld, where Polytan installed the premium product LigaTurf Cross GT zero, simultaneously creating a reference project unrivaled anywhere else. Since 2021, this turf not only makes it possible to train at the highest level all year round but also, thanks to its built-in performance diagnostics Polytan SMART system, serves as a valuable aid for the youth training center to optimize performance in elite sports." Several magnetic sensors installed under the turf collect a wide range of performance data from athletes. Using these sports science analysis tools, users can efficiently and purposefully conduct sprint, jump, and agility tests and evaluate them afterward.

Andreas Kuhn adds, "We at elf5 and the Jena Football Foundation aim to bring the important topic of sustainability to the youth level in collaboration with Polytan. We are already eagerly anticipating the Polytan Cup, planned for the first time this summer in Jena. This event will be an annual highlight of the season for U13 teams from renowned football clubs." Polytan CEO Friedemann Söll promises valuable support in the preparation and organization of the Cup: "We are well-connected both nationally and internationally and have excellent contacts within many top clubs we work with. Together, we are very optimistic about assembling an exciting field of entrants and organizing an outstanding youth tournament."

Learn more about Polytan and elf5 and their teams online at www.polytan.de and www.elf5.de.