The synthetic turf sector is still experiencing many challenges, most of which revolve around the broad topic of sustainability (PFAS, microplastics and recycling of end-of–life synthetic turf), but, having been slightly caught out by the recent intentional microplastics ban in Europe, the industries in Europe and North America are trying to ensure their voices are heard with reasoned argument on upcoming PFAS and secondary microplastic issues.

Generally, though, there has been a “wait and see” attitude, with customer confidence and spending power not high. However, as major disruptions of recent years are dwindling (and returning to normal standard disruption!) steady growth is on the horizon.

Latent demand is there but price is currently an important parameter, which has led to increased imports of cheaper leisure and landscape product into most regions. This continues to be a concern and a challenge, not just to immediate bottom lines but also to the wider industry perception and longer-term damage.

However, despite environmental and safety concerns, the market offers growth potential over the next 5 years in all sectors. New products and systems are under development, automation is entering the space, climate is changing (wetter and drier), and urbanisation is continuing. All these factors will contribute.