After it was known that as from 1st July in 2019 plastic balls are mandatory in all table tennis leagues,
are still available on the market, and in order to facilitate what plastic balls are recommended, we want to provide a small advisor.
Donic balls made of celluloid
Table tennis balls from Donic, which are still made of celluloid, are all made in China. Note that those celluloid balls are not produced anymore, and the packs of 3 (cell) balls are already sold out.
Overview of celluloid balls for competitions and tournaments
- Donic 3 star (made in China): Available as pack of 120 balls, color: white
Overview of celluloid balls for training purposes
Regarding Donic celluloid balls for training, there is only one type left:
- Donic Coach: 120 balls (carton).
Donic plastic balls
Currently, many clubs are still a bit skeptical (sometimes even confused) regarding the development of plastic balls. Plastic balls from Donic are classified as follows:
Donic plastic balls for training and competitions - 1st generation, with seam
Regarding properties and behavior, the first generation of plastic balls is closest to the properties of the former celluloid balls.
Due to certain production features, the very first of the 1st generation plastic balls from Donic exhibited large variations in terms of their quality. However, these are now completely eliminated, and the following plastic balls are available exhibiting a good overall quality:
- ball for competitions and tournaments: Donic 40+ Cell Free (with seam, 1st generation).
- balls for training purposes: Donic Coach 40+ Cell Free (with seam, 1st generation).
Compared to other plastic balls, the Donic 40+ Cell Free can create relatively much spin.
Donic plastic balls for training and competitions - 2nd generation, with seam
The second generation of Donic plastic balls are all manufactured using a material called ABS (commonly referred to as ABS technology). ABS is a plastic, and stands for
acrylonitrile butadienestyrene.
The biggest advantage of these balls is that they exhibit an increased durability. However, such balls develop a bit less spin.
In terms of Donic, the following products are available:
- balls for competitions and tournaments: Donic P40+ Cell Free (with seam, ABS technology).
- balls for training purposes: Donic Coach P40+ Cell Free (with seam, ABS technology).
The Donic P40+develops slightly less spin comnpared to the normal "40+ ball" (from the 1st generation). The advantage of the Donic P40+ is, however, its increased shelf life due to the use of ABS.
Seamless Donic plastic balls for competition and training
The company Donic decided NOT to sell seamless table tennis balls. Donic is convinced that their balls (with seam) will prevail the market.
Conclusion
When reading through this advisor, you will see that the product diversity is not that unclear and confusing as you might have expected before.
In case you have already made your decision for Donic plastic balls, the final decision is only between 2 types of balls.
With sporty greetings,
Matthias Bormann (Managing Director of tt-shop.com)
