Yusuke Utaka (left) of Hagihara Industries Inc. and Dai Watanabe (right) of BASF Japan Ltd., avid football fans, kick back on the synthetic turf field enhanced with BASF’s Tinuvin®.
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BASF, a global leader in chemical innovation, and Hagihara Industries, Inc., a leading synthetic fiber producer in Japan, have joined forces to develop highly durable polyolefin yarns for artificial turf used in sports arenas, including football stadiums, baseball fields, and tennis courts. After three years of collaborative research and development, the two companies have created an advanced formulation with a series of Tinuvin® grades that significantly enhances the durability of synthetic grass, making it less susceptible to damage from sun exposure and ensuring it retains its vibrant color.
“One of the challenges we faced in producing yarns for artificial grass was improving its ability to endure relentless exposure to sunlight and extreme weather conditions,” said Norio Funakoshi, Chief of Fundamental Research Section, Hagihara Industries, Inc. “As our customers were looking for enhanced durability, BASF stepped in to address this issue by recommending the ideal blend of additives,” added Funakoshi.
BASF’s range of light stabilizers are designed to convert UV rays into harmless thermal energy, serving as an umbrella to shield against the sun’s damaging effects. Certain UV rays can attack polymers, compromising their strength and elongation. However, with the use of selected Tinuvin® grades, this radical reaction can be effectively prevented.
Hagihara Industries successfully incorporated the advanced formulation of these additives into their yarn manufacturing process, which resulted in the production of artificial turf that lasts up to 10 years. Fagiano Okayama, a J-League football club located in Okayama Prefecture, manages the company’s exceptionally durable artificial turf on its practice field. The turf has been acclaimed for its quality.
“We are thrilled to highlight the fruitful partnership between BASF and Hagihara Industries,” said Hazel Sprafke, Vice President, Global Business Management, Plastic Additives, Asia Pacific. “This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to addressing our customers’ needs through continuous innovation and effective solutions.”
As a trusted partner for innovation, BASF continuously pushes the boundaries of what is possible. Beyond synthetic turf, BASF’s comprehensive range of light stabilizers offers versatile solutions for demanding outdoor applications, such as construction tarps, heavy-duty waterproof sheets, and swimming pool covers. BASF‘s innovative solutions ensure that its partners in the plastics industry can deliver high-performance, durable, and cost-effective products.
About BASF plastic additives
BASF is a leading supplier, manufacturer, and innovation partner of plastic additives. Its comprehensive and innovative product portfolio includes additives that provide ease in processing, and heat and light resistance to a variety of polymers and applications including molded articles, films, fibers, sheets, and extruded profiles. The portfolio is constantly analyzed, assessed and actively improved towards solutions which make a larger contribution to sustainability. More information about plastic additives: www.plasticadditives.basf.com.
BASF plastic additives is part of BASF’s Performance Chemicals division. The division’s portfolio also includes fuel and lubricant solutions, as well as oilfield chemicals and mining solutions. Customers from a variety of industries including Chemicals, Plastics, Consumer Goods, Energy & Resources and Automotive & Transportation benefit from our innovative solutions. To learn more, visit http://www.performancechemicals.basf.com.
About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. Our ambition: We want to be the preferred chemical company to enable our customers’ green transformation. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises, as core businesses, the segments Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, and Nutrition & Care; our standalone businesses are bundled in the segments Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €65.3 billion in 2024. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.
