Pareto range balls, supplied by the Seoul Nassau company, are now being manufactured using water based materials.
Historically golf balls have been painted and lacquered using solvent based paints. Using such paints causes a number of problems. Excess paint is often released into the atmosphere and machinery has to be cleaned using yet more solvent.
With climate change and the effects that our businesses and lifestyles have on the environment currently such a hot topic, it was obvious that Seoul Nassau should look at greener methods of production. Consequently a development programme was instigated to see where they might be able to reduce their impact on the environment.
Because of the heavy use that a driving range golf ball receives in its lifetime, it was a paramount to develop an extremely durable paint system, whilst using a non solvent based formula. The water based system avoids any pollution reaching the fresh air and allows machinery to be cleaned with water which can then be filtered and used again. So after many years of trials the result will be seen in hundreds of driving ranges across the country during the course of this year.
There are no visible changes. The balls are still great quality; look the same, play the same and last just as long.
As with all technological advances the greener manufacturing process is more costly than the solvent based production. However Pareto & Seoul Nassau has said that none of these additional costs shall be passed on to their customers, so range owners can enjoy knowing that they have a great value, greener product.
William Baird who is range ball consultant to Seoul Nassau and has over 40 years experience in the golf trade said, “Unlike many of our competitors who just make range balls as cheaply as possible, our factory has always been fully focused on the importance of quality range golf ball production, combined with performance and design. This latest technological advancement is testament to that. There is a big difference in range ball standards and when making their buying decisions customers should be aware of these important environmental issues.”
CORRECTION
In our recent report about the appointment of Scott Lucas as sales director of Seoul Nassau http://www.golfbusinessnews.com/news/news.asp?storyid=3610 we stated that Seoul Nassau owns the Penfold brand. This was an error for which we apologise. We have been asked to state that Seoul Nassau do not in fact own Penfold having sold the brand three years ago.
Seoul Nassau www.seoulnassau.co.uk