Site visit: the need for circular processing of artificial turf fields

Yesterday, we organized an inspiring site visit on the future of artificial turf and circularity. Together with municipalities, national government and value chain partners, we addressed an urgent question:

What do we do with the growing stream of worn-out artificial turf fields?

In the Netherlands, around 200 artificial turf fields are replaced each year. This results in thousands of tons of material waiting for a new destination.

The challenge? It is not only in the technology of recycling and production, but mainly in closing the loop:

• insufficient demand for recycled materials
• procurement processes that still insufficiently prioritize circularity
• lack of coordination and continuity

During the visit, we not only discussed these challenges, but also showed them in practice. We provided a presentation and participants were given a tour at our production and joint venture partner Lankhorst, where circular processing of plastics is already taking shape.

The conclusion of the day was clear:
without demand for recyclate, the circular chain will not take off.

Together, we explored how to:

• embed circular requirements in procurement
• take responsibility across the entire value chain
• design with end-of-life as the starting point

The ambition is there.
Solutions are emerging.

Now is the moment to move forward together.
Because waste does not exist — only resources.

♻️ Recycle the present, save the future.

Circular | ArtificialTurf | Sustainability | Resources | Circularity | Collaboration | ValueChain