The sport's world governing body said the switch was for a number of reasons, including a decline in the production of celluloid and the difficulty to ship the material because of its high flammability.

It also said plastic balls are safer and more cost effective than celluloid balls to produce.

Although the move does not require any rule changes - plastic balls have been used in table tennis competitions since the 1950s - and events can still be played with celluloid balls, ITTF President Adham Sharara predicts there may still be some resistance to the switch.

"Any change in sport usually divides the participants into three groups," he said.

"The 'optimists' who believe the change is for the best; the 'pessimists' who believe the change is a disaster; and finally the 'indifferent' who just go with the flow.

"Based on my experience, the proportion of people in each group changes with time, and eventually the majority just goes with the flow.

"In this case, the use of plastic balls was more for necessity rather than by design.

"The fact is that the supply of the celluloid sheets to make the traditional celluloid balls is dwindling [and] will eventually no longer be available."

ITTF Athletes' Commission chair Vladimir Samsonov has welcomed the switch to plastic balls ©Getty Images



Plastic balls will be used in an international competition for the first time at this month's World Tour Belarus Open.

There are currently four manufacturers and 21 brands of ITTF-approved plastic balls for use in international competitions and a new manufacturer from Germany will be joining soon.

The ITTF has also kept the levels of specification for the approval of plastic balls as close as possible to the specifications of celluloid balls, with some wider tolerances being allowed for an 18-month period to ensure best quality and reduce disruptions to the players.

Belarusian world and European medallist Vladimir Samsonov, who is also chairman of the ITTF Athletes' Commission, has welcomed the move.

"I just started my preparations with the new plastic ball and it will take a little bit of time to adjust to it," he said.

"In any case I am very excited and looking forward to [the] Belarus Open where we will finally be able to play with the new ball.

"I am also very happy that my country is hosting the first World Tour event played with plastic balls."

Despite the changes, celluloid balls will be used at the upcoming Youth Olympic Games, taking place in Nanjing from August 16 to 28, as this was the ball used at all the qualification events.

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