TenCate welcomes the decision of the European Commission (EC) to ban the use of intentionally added microplastics in synthetic turf systems following an 8-year transitional period. We are aware of the potential adverse impact of intentionally added microplastics and we support the wider goal of the EC and the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) to reduce emissions of intentionally added microplastics, and their unintended release into the environment, as part of the European Green Deal for climate neutrality by 2050.
Improved understanding of impact microplastics
Currently, the vast majority of turf fields in the world use infill made from vehicle tires. When this type of infill was introduced, the turf industry believed that recycling vehicle tires into infill materials was a positive step towards reducing end-of-life tire waste and Green House Gas emissions. We now know the problems caused by this solution outweigh the benefits. This resulted in the EU’s decision to ban the use of microplastics in artificial grass surfaces.
Alternative infill and no infill solutions
The EC’s ban is the only viable means to reduce emissions of infill classified as intentionally added microplastics. This legislation will also support the demand for alternative environmentally friendly turf systems. That’s why we have been working hard to minimize the use of intentionally added microplastics within our artificial turf systems. We have a wide range of innovative surfaces using alternative infills and no infill at all, which can be selected based on sporting needs and climate location. The non-fill surfaces offer the same benefits, quality, and performance as traditional filled synthetic turf systems.
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