New technology enables 99.9% turf recycling

A new technology to recycle artificial turf has just been launched. Re-Match is the name of the company behind the development of a cleaning- and separation-technology that makes it possible to re-use 99.9% of used artificial turf. The company is in the process of building the first separation plant in Denmark, which will be operational in October, but they are already receiving used artificial turf.

The use of artificial turf is increasing both in Denmark and the rest of the world. From an environmental perspective this is progress, since real grass requires both a lot of water and chemicals to maintain it. Artificial turf only has a negative environmental impact when it is worn out and needs to be disposed of.

Old artificial turf is usually disposed of by incineration or by burying it at a landfill. Both methods have an impact on the environment and therefore clubs, councils and sports centres have to pay substantial fees to dispose of artificial turf.

On average, one pitch of artificial turf stretches over 8000m2. After 8–10 years, even artificial turf of the highest quality is worn out and needs to be replaced. It’s clear that disposing of artificial turf will be an ever-increasing problem for the environment. Nevertheless, in Denmark, like the rest of the world, there isn’t any legislation covering the disposal of artificial turf and the environment.

Re-Match is the first company in the world to have developed the technology that makes it possible to clean and separate artificial turf into its raw components so that 99.9% of the material can be re-used to make new artificial turf.

Despite a growing need for an environmentally-friendly solution for the disposal of artificial turf, there hasn’t previously been a satisfactory solution to re-use it.

With Re-Match’s technology, artificial turf can now be completely separated and cleaned, so that plastic, rubber granulate, sand and backing can be used again and again to produce new pitches and fields.

In October, Re-Match will complete the first separation plant in Denmark, and the first in the world. In the future, facilities are planned in several locations in Europe and USA.

It is already possible for councils, sports centres and stadia in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the UK and Germany to begin to hand in used artificial turf. The delivery and scope can be agreed with Re-Match, who will receive the artificial turf at similar rates to current disposal solutions.

There is already great interest in Re-Match’s solution amongst clubs, councils, politicians and artificial turf producers, who all see the technology as a long-awaited solution to the environmental problems surrounding artificial turf.