The 1st Europe Smash Ping Pong in Malmo will not only go into history for the successful entry of the “Old Epirus” in the World Table Tennis tournaments, but also for an innovation. For the first time in the sport, a ball made of recycled plastic was used in an international competition. The DHS RS40+ball, made of 65% recycled ABS plastic, made its official premiere this week at the Europe Smash – Sweden 2025, “signaling a landmark in the global federation’s commitment to sustainability,” as the ITTF characteristically stated on its website.
The news is also of particular interest to the Greek federation of the sport in the sense that it is involved in the recycling of the ball in 2023. We remind you that, in collaboration with the Mediterra Institute, it has made actions to tackle the contamination of the environment created by the damaged ping pong balls.
He had even been original at the 2024 Men’s Pan-Hellenic Championships when the winners’ cups and medals were “printed” entirely in 3D printers with the material from the damaged balls of the sports clubs involved in the recycling program. The ITTF has publicly congratulated the EFOEA. For its relevant initiatives, where recycled ABS plastic was also used, as it is now in Malme.
In its report, the ITTF also states: “The course from the idea to the tournament was fast, but rigorous. The supply of recycled materials was completed earlier this year with the first submission to the ITTF equipment department on February 27, 2025. Above 65% of the raw material comes from species, such as home appliances – refrigerators, televisions, washing machines – giving a second life to the waste.
After extensive tests, including validation of materials and performance, the ball was officially approved by ITTF on March 18, 2025. At the same time, cooperation with the players was central throughout the process. Players were given samples of balls before the event to have enough time to prepare and adapt.
Tests were also carried out in major matches, including tests by Sarath Kamal-Attanda, a co-chair of the ITTF athlete athletes, during the ITTF 2025 World Championships. This combination of the “elite” of table tennis.
At the heart of this success was the close cooperation between the ITTF equipment department, the DHS manufacturer and the player community. The equipment department not only supervised technical tests, but also guided growth to guarantee compliance with international matches. Working closely with manufacturers, administrators and athletes, ITTF has demonstrated the power of collective responsibility in promoting innovation for sustainability. “
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