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LANXESS 25/04/2007

LANXESS yellow pigments for greener turf Colortherm Yellow gives artificial turf a natural color

Leverkusen - Covered, steep-sided sports arenas protect spectators from wind and weather. But what is good for the spectators is often bad for the turf. Natural grass in stadiums therefore requires particularly intensive care, including watering, fertilizing, verticutting and scarification. A low-maintenance alternative are artificial turfs with properties that allow playing conditions identical to those on natural grass. The high quality of today’s artificial turfs stems from the raw materials used, such as the types of plastic and the pigments chosen for coloration. Heat-stable Colortherm Yellow pigments from the LANXESS chemicals group have proven to be particularly well suited, not only giving the turf its color but also helping to enhance durability and weather-resistance.

Depending on the grade, the iron oxide pigments remain stable at temperatures up to 300 °C and thus can be used in most types of plastic. Colortherm Yellow has very good dispersing capacity and is physiologically safe, satisfies the requirements of the U.S. FDA’s foodstuffs ordinance and complies with numerous national exposure limits. Used in quantities of up to roughly four percent pigment, Colortherm Yellow not only provides color, it also has a UV-stabilizing effect.

World-class sports and artificial turf are not mutually exclusive: FIFA, the world governing body of soccer, permits and supports the use of artificial turf in climates and stadiums in which it is difficult to grow and maintain natural turf. Qualifying matches for last year's soccer world championship were played on artificial turf, for example. FIFA also developed a concept for standardizing the quality of artificial turf and enhancing player safety: In the past few years, worldwide more than 80 pitches with artificial turf were granted a "FIFA Recommended" mark.

The argument of greater risk of injury has been mitigated by the development and introduction of novel technologies. Artificial turf is generally much more durable and can be played on more often. It also requires significantly less care than do natural pitches.

A number of different grades of artificial turf have been developed, which differ in terms of fiber structure, thickness and height depending on the use (soccer, golf, field hockey, tennis or multi-purpose). In some sports such as field hockey, play on artificial turf is better and more precise than on conventional grass surfaces. As a result, artificial turf has replaced natural grass for many international competitions.

Forward-looking statements This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by LANXESS AG management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.