International Hockey Federation
Advanced Polymer Technology is proud to be associated with the global hockey ecosystem, but with an important clarification up front: we do not provide products or services directly to the International Hockey Federation (FIH). Our connection exists through our parent company, SportGroup, which also owns Polytan, the hockey-turf specialist behind Poligras, a surface widely used for FIH events and chosen for recent Olympic venues.
How the Affiliation Works
SportGroup is a global leader in sports surfacing and the parent of multiple brands, including Advanced Polymer Technology (coatings, courts, tracks) and Polytan (synthetic turf systems). This shared parentage creates a close, collaborative ecosystem of R&D, materials science, and quality management – without blurring the lines of who supplies what. Polytan serves hockey with its Poligras systems and is recognized by the FIH within its supplier program; Advanced Polymer Technology, meanwhile, focuses on complementary surface categories such as Laykold courts, Rekortan tracks, and Qualideck protective concrete coatings.
Shared Values: Performance, Safety, and Sustainability
Across SportGroup, three themes guide product development:
- Performance & Playability: Whether it is a world-class running track or a championship hockey pitch, surfaces must deliver predictable ball behavior, dependable traction, and consistent athlete feedback. The FIH’s Quality Programme codifies this for hockey, while our sport systems pursue the same benchmarks within their categories.
- Athlete Welfare: Shock absorption, surface uniformity, and reliable footing reduce injury risk. Poligras pitches are designed for fast, precise hockey; Advanced Polymer Technology’s cushion and track systems are engineered for repeatability and comfort across long service lives.
- Sustainability: The International Hockey Federation has openly challenged the industry to reduce or eliminate irrigation in hockey turf, and Polytan’s Paris GT zero demonstrates what is possible with bio-based polymers and carbon-neutral manufacturing. Our company brings that same mindset to coatings and courts, continuously improving material efficiency and lifecycle performance.
Polytan, Poligras, and the International Hockey Federation
Polytan is listed by the FIH among its Preferred Suppliers, reflecting the company’s longstanding commitment to meeting the federation’s performance and safety benchmarks for hockey turf. Through the Poligras brand, Polytan has provided surfaces for major international competitions, including the Olympic Games. The FIH is also publicly driving the industry toward dry (non-irrigated) hockey turfs, a direction Polytan’s innovations seek to support.
Looking ahead, the relationship between FIH events and the SportGroup family continues to develop: in 2025, SportGroup, represented by Polytan and AstroTurf, was nominated by the FIH as the sole hockey turf supplier for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
What Advanced Polymer Technology Brings to the Rink-Adjacent Experience
Even though our company does not supply the hockey field itself, we frequently support the broader environments that surround elite hockey, including training centers, school and community complexes, and multi-sport venues where hockey is one pillar among many. At Advanced Polymer Technology, our portfolio includes:
- Laykold court systems for tennis, pickleball, and multi-sport play that are renowned for consistency, traction, and tunable cushion packages.
- Rekortan track systems are engineered for uniform energy return and durability across sprints, distance, and field event run-ups.
- Qualideck protective coatings for concrete and asphalt in stadiums, parking structures, concourses, and balconies, helping protect assets while elevating aesthetics and safety.
These solutions are built under a rigorous ISO 9001:2015 quality management system and the same performance-first culture that defines SportGroup worldwide. It is one reason Advanced Polymer Technology lists the International Hockey Federation among the federations and associations with whom we maintain affiliation, even as the hockey turf itself remains the domain of our sister brand, Polytan.
For Additional Information or Surface Coatings, Contact Us Today
Advanced Polymer Technology’s affiliation with the International Hockey Federation is via SportGroup because our sister brand Polytan supplies the FIH-used hockey turfs while our team continues to focus on best-in-class courts, tracks, and protective coatings. Together, the SportGroup family delivers world-leading surfaces across the athletic spectrum, from the pitch to the plaza. For further details on our products and services, contact us today.