1. Produced by Evidence Based Insights Ltd for the Welsh Football Trust
3G Artificial Turf
Summary of Technical Specifications
Manufacturers of modern 3G turf strive to develop surfaces that meet the specific needs of football.
Rather than tightly packed matting, 3G manufactures now use longer and more thinly spaced tufts
which are often in-filled with sand for support and rubber granules to give bouncei. This results in
more responsive and durable surfaces that minimise the risk injury and carpet burns to bare skin.
Components of 3G
Modern manufacturing processes allow monofilament fibres to be extruded as individual fibres
which gives a high level of control over the design of the 3G pile including thickness (between
0.90mm and 0.200mm) and stiffness. Together, the components create a durable playing surface
that resists deformation and minimise abrasiveness.
Key 3G components include:ii
1. Pile fibres
2. Infill (mixture or layers of sand and elastomer granules
3. Pile layer
4. Backing fabric of PES (Polyethersulfone – a very tough polymer)
5. Backing coating of Latex or PUR (a durable industrial foam)
6. Elastic layer of synthetic foam or PUR bound rubber granules
7. Elastic supporting layer of PUR bound mixture of mineral and rubber granules
8. Asphalt supporting layer (the bound supporting layer)
9. Mineral supporting layer (the unbound supporting layer)
Suitability of pile depth for Football, Rugby and Hockey:iii
Pile depth 40mm 55mm 60mm
Football  Suitable for training  Most suitable length for  Good for training
 Suitable for matches training  Good for matches
 Most suitable length for
matches
Rugby  Suitable for non-contact  Suitable for non-contact  Suitable for full contact
training training training†
 Unsuitable for full  Unsuitable for full  Suitable for matches†
contact training contact training
 Unsuitable for matches  Unsuitable for matches
Hockey  Unsuitable for  Unsuitable for training  Unsuitable for training
performance training /  Unsuitable for matches  Unsuitable for matches
matches
 Suitable for social
hockey, beginner
sessions
 Suitable for school
hockey (under 16s)‡
† If surface is IRB approved. ‡ If BS EN 15330 certified.

2. Example 3G turf system:i
Key benefits of 3G
 Wears well compared to astro
 Well maintained and managed 3G pitches can sustain year-round use. On average, a
synthetic turf pitch can be used up to 60 – 80 hours per week, while a grass pitch is closer to
6 - 8 hours per week.iii
 Low impact surface is more forgiving on player’s joints
 Doesn't cut up with heavy use
 Risk of injury is no greater than other surfaces. The consistent quality of 3G means that
players are less exposed to injury hazards during play and pitch quality not suffer from
exposure to inclement weather.iv
 3G pitches require much less overall maintenance than grass pitches which can lead to
significant savings in terms of time and staff wages and equipment. This supports a more
efficient approach to the deployment of maintenance staff at facilities.iv
 Consistent surface is good for skill development and makes play more predictable
 Immediate potential to diversify business models through squad development and
expansion, regular hiring, at-cost agreements with local groups and special one-off events to
increase footfall and facilities and secondary-spend opportunities. iv
 More room for error gives younger players a better playing experience
 No dramatic difference in play compared with grass. iv
 Snow does not have a direct influence on quality or longevity of the turf surface.iii
Quality standards
FIFA is dedicated to promoting the widespread use of artificial turf: “Football turf enables millions of
footballers around the world to indulge in their favourite sport all year round, and, more importantly,
to do so in the best possible conditions. No more unplayable pitches. No more abandoned matches.”
(i:p3). The numerous manufacturers and installers of 3G means that FIFA is keen to ensure that there
is a recognised international standard for football turf pitches. The FIFA Quality Concept for Football
Turf is a quality testing scheme that uses real turf as its benchmark. This has helped to standardise
the quality and safety of artificial turf for football players, and to encourage further developments in
artificial turf technology.
i
FIFA (2006). Quality Concept for Football Turf. FIFA: Zug (Switzerland)
ii
Kolitzus, H.J. (2007). Artificial Turf Surfaces for Soccer - What Owners of Soccer Pitches should know about Artificial Turf. IST (Switzerland) / United States
Sports Surfacing Laboratory, Fort Walton Beach (FL).
iii
Sport Scotland DATASHEET - pitches & pavilions. Available at: http://www.sportscotland.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/457BD953-D5A4-45B4-B426-
6F8659A529A2/0/1013GSyntheticTurfs.pdf
iv
FIFA. Turf Roots Magazine 03. Available at: http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/afdeveloping/pitch&equipment/01/13/22/13/turfroots3_en.pdf