Norms & Standards
In sports and protective surfacing, “good enough” is never good enough, which is why Advanced Polymer Technology designs, manufactures, and supports high-performance systems, such as Laykold courts, Rekortan tracks, and Qualideck coatings, by aligning our work with internationally recognized norms & standards frameworks. Chief among these are the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Deutsches Institut für Normung e.V. (DIN), and ASTM International. Following the guidance and test methods developed by these bodies helps us deliver products that perform consistently, install predictably, and earn trust across global markets.
Why Standards Matter to Owners, Designers, and Contractors
Standards translate complex performance requirements into shared, verifiable criteria. When a spec references a particular property, like tensile strength, slip resistance, shock absorption, VOC limits, or UV stability, standards provide the vocabulary and the test methods to measure it the same way every time. For clients and design teams, that means:
- Comparable data: Apples-to-apples test results across vendors and systems
- Lower project risk: Clear acceptance criteria and documented quality checkpoints
- Repeatable performance: Surfaces that behave as expected from design through long-term use
ISO: Systems That Support Quality and Sustainability
Frameworks from the International Organization for Standardization inform how we build reliability into every stage of the product lifecycle:
- Quality management principles: ISO’s approach to process control, corrective action, and continuous improvement guides how we document procedures, qualify raw materials, and track batches through production.
- Environmental responsibility: ISO-style environmental management principles influence how we evaluate materials, minimize waste, and support specifications that target reduced emissions and responsible chemistry.
- Consistent documentation: From technical data sheets to installation manuals and maintenance guides, ISO’s emphasis on documented, controlled information helps ensure stakeholders are working from the same page.
DIN: Performance Demands for Athletic and Protective Surfaces
DIN standards (from Deutsches Institut für Normung e.V.) are widely referenced in sport, playground, and facility specifications, particularly in Europe. Their exacting test protocols help define how surfaces should respond in real-world conditions:
- Athlete interaction: DIN methodologies commonly assess shock absorption, vertical deformation, energy restitution, and surface friction, which are critical to comfort, safety, and gameplay.
- Durability: Abrasion, indentation, and aging tests help predict how materials hold up under repetitive loads and exposure, informing system design and maintenance intervals.
- Safety and usability: Requirements around slip resistance, evenness, and dimensional stability support safe performance for users of all ages and abilities.
ASTM International: Clear, Reproducible Benchmarks
ASTM International develops consensus standards and test methods used throughout North America and globally. For Advanced Polymer Technology, ASTM protocols are central to product development and verification:
- Material characterization: ASTM methods for tensile properties, tear resistance, elongation, hardness, and chemical resistance help ensure raw materials and finished components meet design targets.
- Surface performance: Traction, shock attenuation, ball rebound, and weathering tests quantify how courts, tracks, and coatings will behave across temperatures, humidity, UV exposure, and heavy use.
- Installation and field quality: Field sampling, adhesion testing, thickness checks, and cure verification provide objective milestones that installers and owners can rely on during commissioning.
How Advanced Polymer Technology Operationalizes Standards
Translating standards into dependable outcomes requires more than a certificate on the wall. Advanced Polymer Technology integrates these frameworks into daily practice:
- Standards-led product design: Our R&D teams define target properties using ISO, DIN, and ASTM criteria, then iterate formulations to hit those targets with appropriate safety factors. This keeps performance aligned with the realities of climate, use patterns, and maintenance.
- Qualified supply chains: We vet suppliers with defined acceptance criteria and traceability. Incoming materials are checked against agreed specifications, so projects begin with consistent building blocks.
- In-process controls: Batch records, retained samples, and statistical checks reduce variation. When the stakes are high, like color consistency across court systems or elastomer properties in track surfaces, tight process windows matter.
- Independent and in-house testing: We pair third-party labs with our own test facilities to validate key properties against the appropriate methods, improving both speed and confidence in results.
- Field verification and support: On-site guidance, installer training, and documented checklists connect lab expectations to real-world conditions, so systems cure, bond, and perform as intended.
The Result: Confidence You Can Specify
Whether you are writing a performance spec, comparing submittals, or managing commissioning, Advanced Polymer Technology’s alignment with norms & standards from ISO, DIN, and ASTM help us and our customers move forward with clarity. Designers gain comparable data, contractors get straightforward field criteria, and owners receive surfaces that look, feel, and perform to expectation season after season.
Ready to build better surfaces that are grounded in recognized standards and proven practice? Connect with Advanced Polymer Technology to discuss your project goals and how our standards-aligned systems can help you meet them.
The Result: Confidence You Can Specify
Whether you are writing a performance spec, comparing submittals, or managing commissioning, Advanced Polymer Technology’s alignment with norms & standards from ISO, DIN, and ASTM help us and our customers move forward with clarity. Designers gain comparable data, contractors get straightforward field criteria, and owners receive surfaces that look, feel, and perform to expectation season after season.
Ready to build better surfaces that are grounded in recognized standards and proven practice? Connect with Advanced Polymer Technology to discuss your project goals and how our standards-aligned systems can help you meet them.