2014 FIFA World Cup™ Brazil™ Kicks Off on Hybrid Grass

BRUSSELS, November 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

The DESSO GrassMaster system is currently being installed at the newly built "Arena de Sao Paulo" in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The stadium has been chosen to host the Opening Ceremony and Opening Match of Brazil 2014 and will also play host to five other matches, including a semi-final.  

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131122/652814 )

The hybrid DESSO GrassMaster system is a 100% natural grass surface, reinforced by 20 million artificial fibres. With this system the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ will have a perfect pitch throughout the tournament.

Sustainable solution during  and  after the 2014 FIFA World Cup™

The 2014 FIFA World Cup™ stadiums will be used intensely for matches and training sessions within a short space of time. Thanks to its reinforcement system, DESSO GrassMaster offers a reliable pitch throughout all weather conditions.

The system consists of a 100 % natural grass pitch into which artificial fibres are injected 18 cm deep, every 2 cm across the pitch. This results in approximately 20 million artificial fibres reinforcing the natural grass.  The ingenuity of the system lies beneath the surface. The natural grass roots grow around the fibres, thus anchoring the field. The system offers stability and reinforcement, ensuring a uniform and visually attractive surface in perfect condition at all times. After Brazil 2014, the stadium of Sao Paulo will be home to Sport Club Corinthians Paulista.

Alexander Collot d'Escury, CEO DESSO: "Supplying the pitch for the kick-off of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ in Brazil is obviously a prestigious project for our company and hopefully an inspiration for other stadiums.  With the DESSO GrassMaster pitch at Sao Paulo stadium, we hope to contribute to high level, attractive football during the World Cup and its legacy after the tournament."

DESSO GrassMaster has scored previous successes at international tournaments and top clubs.

During the FIFA World Cup 2010™ in South Africa, the matches at the stadiums with DESSO GrassMaster took place on a pitch in perfect condition. At Euro 2012, both Donbass and Kharkiv stadiums were installed with the reinforcement system.

Wembley Stadium can again fulfill its role as leading multifunctional venue since the installation of the DESSO GrassMaster pitch in 2010. Since then, more than 150 football, rugby and NFL matches and the equivalent of 6 months of concerts have taken place at the stadium. In addition, Wembleyhosted the 2012 Olympic Games (9 matches in 11 days) and the 2011 and 2013 Champions League Final.

Also international top clubs such as Arsenal FC, Manchester City, Manchester United, PSG, Shaktar Donetsk, Inter and AC Milan, Gremio and Santos FC play/train on the DESSO GrassMaster system.

Company profile

DESSO Sports Systems, more than 30 years of international experience in sports surfaces

The company is the international specialist in innovative sports fields for football, rugby and hockey as well as tennis courts and multifunctional fields. Over time, the company has installed more than 55 million m² of artificial and hybrid grass worldwide at both amateur and professional clubs.

DESSO Sports Systems is a FIFA Licensee for football turf and an active member of various associations including ESSMA.

DESSO Sports Systems is part of DESSO. DESSO is a global carpets, carpet tiles and sport pitches company, active in more than 100 countries. DESSO products are supplied to corporate offices, education, healthcare, government, homes and also hotels, cruise liners and airlines.

For pictures & video: http://www.dessosports.com/brazil-2014

SOURCE Desso