World Rugby has announced the appointment of CC Grass, the world's largest manufacturer of synthetic turf products, as a Preferred Turf Producer.

Based in Nanjing, China, CC Grass already supplies more than 100 markets and will enable rugby to reach and engage with a whole new participation base within the world’s most populous nation, the Asia region and beyond as rugby continues to experience record participation growth.

Preferred Turf Producers oversee the manufacture, installation and maintenance of rugby fields worldwide, in conformance with World Rugby Regulation 22. This ensures that each rugby pitch attains key player welfare and performance criteria set out within Regulation 22.

World Rugby, FIFA and the International Hockey Federation have also collaborated to develop a ground-breaking protocol for multi-purpose playing fields, which has the potential to revolutionise mass participation sports at community and elite level, and which Preferred Turf Producers have been supporting.

Since the programme began, 442 artificial pitches have been installed in 24 nations by the eight World Rugby accredited Preferred Turf Producers: Act Global, CC Grass, Edel Grass, Fieldturf, Greenfields, Limonta, Polytan and SIS Pitches. This reflects significant participation growth in emerging markets across Asia, South America and Africa.

World Rugby Head of Technical Services Mark Harrington said: “We are delighted to be welcoming CC Grass to our global programme of Preferred Turf Producers having met the required standards. With a substantial global reach and significant expertise, they will assist the growth and development of rugby worldwide.

“The promotion of multi-sport facilities is a cornerstone of the development of our sport in both established and new markets. It is also recognised that the key performance measure of these fields should be focused on player welfare and the pitches delivered through this programme meet rigorous welfare and performance standards."

CC Grass General Manager Qiangxiang Wang added: “We are delighted to have been recognised by World Rugby, and believe that the Preferred Producer status will help CC Grass ensure better quality rugby fields are installed globally. This is another example where CC Grass is trusted by the world.”