Platinum TE Paspalum has recently issued its first overseas production and distribution licenses to two international turf farms in Spain and Saudi Arabia.
Novogreen in Spain and Atlas Turf Arabia in Saudi Arabia are the first turf farms outside of the United States to grow the patented turfgrass showcased this month at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Introduced in 2007, Platinum TE is the turfgrass of choice at more than 300 golf courses, sports fields and landscape projects in 30 countries around the world. They select Platinum TE for its superior performance and sustainability benefits, its dense turf with unmatched salt tolerance, fine leaf texture, dark green colour, low light tolerance, disease resistance, and rapid recovery from injury.
Novogreen, headquartered in Seville, recently added Platinum TE to its Toledo farm with plans to expand to its other farm location in Tarragona. Novogreen has nearly 20 years of experience in sod production and sports installation supplying quality turfgrass to golf courses, sports fields, parks, and other landscaping projects.
“With four farms spread over Spain and Portugal, Novogreen has supplied ITGAP-certified turfgrasses to all Mediterranean countries,” said Novogreen CEO Rafael Castro. “Novogreen has extensive experience not only in production but also in service, advice, and logistics to reach any Mediterranean – and European country. Platinum TE Paspalum will have a very active and necessary presence due to its unbeatable adaptation to the qualities of water, soil, climate, and other needs of these countries.”
Novogreen has found Platinum TE to be an optimally performing turfgrass for the Mediterranean climate and the conditions. It meets sustainability goals with low input requirements, thrives in the hot summers with excellent heat and drought tolerance, and keeps its dark green colour longer during the region’s cooler months. In addition, durability, density, and quick recovery make the turfgrass an attractive choice for the many athletic fields Novogreen supplies.
Also included in Platinum TE’s expansion is Atlas Turf Arabia, the first and only turf farm in Saudi Arabia to offer licensed and certified turfgrass. The farm is a joint venture between Atlas Turf International and Golf Saudi and was created to meet the needs of extensive golf development planned in the country, as well as sports field and landscaping projects.
“The advantages of having a farm within Saudi Arabia producing Platinum TE are numerous,” said John Holmes, co-founder of Atlas Turf Arabia. “Locally grown Platinum TE provides developers and contractors with a proven, quality turfgrass available quickly to meet the expedited timelines on many ambitious projects throughout the country.”
Saudi Arabia’s Green Initiative challenges developers to seek environmentally responsible products, especially concerning water. Platinum TE meets the challenge with exceptional salt tolerance, allowing projects to use TSE irrigation. As with the Mediterranean, the Gulf region also demands the extreme heat and drought tolerance of Platinum TE, as well as its durability needed for sports field applications.