"GIVE WASTE A SECOND SERVE" – that's the of Balls Unlimited . Tennis balls have played a central role in this Bavarian family business since its founding in 2006, as the company produces exclusively tennis balls. These are manufactured either to order or under their own Balls Unlimited brand. With the arrival of the two sons, Tobias and Thilo, in 2023, the company has placed particular emphasis on sustainability. This led to the creation of their first sustainable tennis ball: the Code Planet . Forty percent of the ball's core is made from recycled tires, which not only "upcycles" the tires themselves but also reduces the overall use of plantation rubber. I had the opportunity to Tobias Papenfuhs , one of the three managing directors, and wanted to know all about him: how the idea for the Code Planet came about, the challenges involved in its development, market launch, and successful ITF certification, and much more. And of course, Tobias also shared his favorite tennis vacation destination. All that remains for me to say is: FIRST SERVE, Tobias!
Tobias, please briefly introduce yourself and Balls Unlimited.My name is Tobias Papenfuhs, and together with my father Ralph and my brother Thilo, I run the family business Balls Unlimited. Since its founding in 2006, we've been all about tennis balls. What began with contract manufacturing for other brands was complemented in 2014 by our own Balls Unlimited collection. Since then, we've grown steadily and are constantly developing new products. Since 2023, following Thilo and my joining the company, we've been running it as a team of three – with a particular focus on sustainability.
Not all tennis balls are created equal – what makes your products stand out?Our philosophy is: Tennis Balls only. We focus entirely on tennis balls, and it shows. The rubber core and felt are perfectly matched to create balls with long-lasting durability and consistent performance. We develop the specifications here in Germany, and production then takes place at our experienced partners in Asia.
Another point that's important to us: We prefer to invest in quality rather than expensive advertising or sponsorships. This allows us to offer high-quality, durable balls at a fair price – while remaining independent and authentic.
Why did you develop the sustainable tennis ball Code Planet?Sustainability is far more than just a buzzword for us. We wanted to find out how to truly save resources – and not just tweak a few details on the packaging. It was essential to us that an eco-friendly tennis ball performs at least as well as a conventional one, ideally even better. And of course, all this at a reasonable price.
Tobias Papenfuhs,
Managing Director, Balls Unlimited
Therefore, the option of recycling tennis balls within a closed-loop system is also ruled out, as the logistical and production costs are too high to manufacture a suitable product. This led to the idea for Code Planet . Our goal was to develop a ball that plays well and comfortably, is durable, available at a fair price, and is also environmentally friendly.
How does the production of Code Planet differ from your other balls?The most important difference lies in the core. 40% of the ball core consists of recycled material, more precisely, processed tire granules. This allows us to conserve valuable natural rubber and give an existing raw material a second life. The rest of the production process remains unchanged. This was important to us in order to ensure consistent quality and stable series production.
What hurdles did you have to overcome from the initial idea to the market launch?The development process was a real challenge. We conducted countless test series in the lab and on the field, constantly making adjustments and optimizing the material – a classic two steps forward, one step back. After around three years of development, we finally had the final product, which we are very proud of.
It was important to us that the ball felt just as good as a conventional tennis ball. In my opinion, it even plays better because it has consistent properties straight out of the can and doesn't need to be broken in. In the end, we found a blend that works perfectly. The Code Planet is not only sustainable but also a fully-fledged tournament ball.
Where is the ball market headed in terms of sustainability? Will there eventually only be Code Planet balls?I think the entire industry is moving step by step towards sustainability. Code Planet is an important first step for us, but certainly not the end. We're also examining how we can save resources and use more environmentally friendly materials in our other products – for example, stage balls or pressureless training balls. Development continues, and we want to do our part to ensure that sustainable balls eventually become the norm.
Do you play tennis yourself? If so, how intensively?Yes, I play tennis regularly in the summer. The main focus is clearly on enjoying the game – and of course, testing our own products. This gives me a direct feel on the court for how our balls behave and what we might be able to improve.
Do you have a favorite place for a tennis vacation?My favorite place is the Tannenhof in the Allgäu region . There, you can wonderfully combine wellness and sports – depending on the season, skiing, golf, or of course tennis are on offer. It's best when the right playing partners and the right balls are there. Then it's the perfect tennis vacation for me.
Thilo, Ralph and Tobias Papenfuhs in front of the family business in Gerolsbach, Bavaria
A carton of 25 cans of 4 balls each costs €194.95 at the regular price. That's €7.80 per can or €1.95 per ball. A more than fair price, wouldn't you say?
Anyone who wants to try the ball first can a test pack Balls Unlimited shop for €24.90. Attractive tiered pricing is also available, making it perfect for coaches, tennis schools, and clubs.
You cannot buy individual cans directly from Balls Unlimited in the shop, but you can find them, for example, at SPODECO in the shop for €7.95.
And here are a couple of reviews and a test report from Tennis Magazine:
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