The question whether non-fill and mineral-filled synthetic turf should be permitted back into the FIFA Quality Programme, is splitting the sector apart. Some very powerful players are in favour of this. The majority thinks differently. They call it too soon and point to the quality and safety procedures that concepts should adhere to. They also particularly bemoan the aggressive drive of some to have non-fill adopted.

The stakes are high as non-fill and sand-dressed (a.k.a. mineral-filled) synthetic turf systems are the synthetic turf industry’s answer to the ban on the adding of polymeric infills smaller than 5 mm to synthetic turf carpets. With the trading of these materials to be prohibited from October 2031, the introduction of a densely tufted carpet that doesn’t contain any infill at all (non-fill) or a more open carpet that makes use of a small layer of sand (known as sand-dressed or mineral-filled) are the industry’s draw cards to continue offering a surface that can handle extensive footfall, can be installed in any location, is almost always playable, is not dependent on water, and requires less (skilled) maintenance. Reintroduction into the FIFA Quality Programme for Football Turf is widely regarded as a final stamp of approval from the biggest market.