CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., Aug. 18, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mondo, a global leader in the sports flooring market, has received U.S. patents on Thermo-bonded, its new artificial turf backing. The patents cover a number of product features.
The primary patent covers the unique design and process of Thermo-bonded, which provides a dimensionally stable tufted turf without needing a polyurethane secondary backing. Instead, a dual primary backing holds the turf fibers more securely in place compared to traditional primary backings, so it can be handled as necessary without substantial fiber loss. The non-stretchable backing prevents elongation or other stretching of the turf. As a result, the quality of the turf, including the integrity of the pattern and the quantity of the fiber per unit area, remain consistent.
Another patent pertains to Thermo-bonded's having a primary backing comprising a total of four layers that are all fused together. This construction provides additional dimensional stability to the turf without requiring a secondary backing.
"Throughout our 60-year history, we have invested heavily in research and development to produce cutting-edge products that deliver optimal athletic performance, are durable and are environmentally friendly, and as a result, Mondo has more than 220 patents," said Federico Stroppiana, president, Mondo North and South America. "Now, we can add our Thermo-bonded backing to the list of unique products Mondo has developed, including our Ecofill infill, 3NX fiber and Fine Tuned performance and drainage pad. All of these products have set new industry standards and demonstrate our commitment to delivering innovations that let athletes perform their best while safeguarding the end-user and the environment."
Thermo-bonded was engineered and developed internally by the Mondo Research Center. Unlike traditional artificial turf backings, it does not use polyurethane as a primary component of the system. This eliminates problems associated with inconsistent polyurethane applications, such as low tuft bind and poor drainage, and it makes Thermo-bonded environmentally friendly. The new backing is 100 percent recyclable and uses greater than 85 percent post-consumer recycled content which may help contribute to LEED points.
Instead of polyurethane, Thermo-bonded utilizes woven and non-woven polyester as the main components for its primary and secondary layers. During a unique manufacturing process on equipment built by Mondo, a thermoplastic catalyst is applied to both those layers, and through heat and pressure, all four layers of the backing are fused together, permanently bonding the tufts of fiber in place. Because of this construction and the use of premium raw materials, the result is a backing with unparalleled tuft bind that provides consistent performance and playability. With dramatically reduced fiber loss, it is more likely to hold up under heavy traffic and avoid degrading aesthetics than traditional backing.
In addition, due to its permeability, Thermo-bonded also provides the best drainage characteristics in the industry, with efficient water flow and consistent drainage throughout the entire backing with no drainage holes required.
About Mondo
Mondo is the global leader in the sports flooring market, manufacturing floor surfaces for virtually every sport. Throughout its 60-year history, the company has invested heavily in research and development to produce cutting-edge products that meet the highest quality standards, deliver optimal athletic performance, are durable, require minimal maintenance and are environmentally safe.
More than 1,100 Mondo tracks and 800 Mondo artificial turf fields are installed worldwide. The official supplier of the athletic track for the past nine Olympic Games, Mondo also is the official supplier or official sponsor of more than 100 sports federations and associations, including Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association, FIBA, IAAF, National Soccer Coaches Association of America, NIRSA, U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association and YMCA.
The company also supplies a wide variety of commercial flooring and is the world's largest producer of sports and toy balls with an average daily production of 450,000 units. In addition, it manufactures large luxury yachts under its Mondo Marine division.
A family-owned business since its founding in 1948, Mondo sells its products in more than 196 countries. The company's global headquarters are in Italy, and it has manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and Asia. More information about Mondo is available at www.mondoworldwide.com.
Mondo is a registered trademark of Mondo.
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