SPORTFIX^®CLEAN - System for filtering microplastic from artificial turf

The demand for artificial turf surfaces in the sports sector is constantly increasing due to the great advantages. In order to prevent the environmentally harmful effects of microplastic deposits from artificial turf surfaces to a large extent, the deposits of...

1. plastic/rubber granulate (also called infill material) used for the filling must be avoided.
2. the synthetic grass fibres, which break off during play because they are exposed to recurring stresses, should also be retained

Through precipitation, drifts, maintenance measures or simply due to the use by the athletes, microplastic particles of granulate and blades of grass finally reach the environment in fragments.

Research from the last years have already proven that macroplastic parts and plastic garbage produce dangerous garbage vortices and/or gigantic garbage carpets in the oceans. This poses a great danger to fish and other marine life which ultimately end up on our plates and in the food cycle. The number of microplastic particles in our tap water and mineral water is also increasing and we are already absorbing them every day. The consequences for health are not foreseeable on the basis of current knowledge. Here you can find out more about the microplastic cycle.

If you have ever played sports on an artificial turf pitch, you certainly know the problem: the small plastic particles collect themselves in sportswear and shoes. Taking into account all relevant aspects (ingredients, recyclability and discharge behaviour of microplastics), microplastic deposits from an artificial turf can be significantly reduced through the use of filter solutions.

If alternative materials were used to fill the artificial turf, pollution could be avoided. Some artificial turf systems are mainly filled with natural materials such as quartz sand, cork and lime and only small parts with plastic granulate. Consequently, less harmful infill material is used - but this is not a 100% solution without microplastic. Even if alternative filling materials or unfilled artificial turf are used, the problem of blade wear remains. In addition, with these alternatives there is often the risk of possible mould formation due to the use of organic natural substances in a permanently damp environment. An additional issue with these alternatives is the risk of mould formation due to the use of organic natural substances in a permanently moist environment. There is also an increased risk of mechanical wear and tear, as well as poorer playability due to ice formation in winter.

HAURATON has a safe and effective solution for the filtration and retention of microplastic particles: In the drainage system and channel filter SPORTFIX CLEAN, particles as small as 0.45 µm (0.00045 mm) are reliably filtered out by the filter substrate Carbotec 60. The filter substrate consists of natural, inorganic components. The use of SPORTFIX CLEAN is an important measure to reduce microplastics in waters, oceans and the environment.  With rule-compliant dimensioning, retention capacities of over 95 % are achieved.

The system consists of the SPORTFIX CLEAN filter channel. In addition to the filter substrate channel surrounding the edge of the playing field, further products for collecting the microplastic particles can be installed.

Part of the granulate and the broken plastic fibres get stuck on the clothes and shoes of the athletes. The SPORTFIX CLEAN particle trap element was specially developed for this purpose: Ideally, it is installed at the player's exit where it collects and retains microplastic from the shoes and clothing. This also means that less microplastic gets into changing rooms and washing machines.

Artificial turf can also be used in winter. When clearing snow, however, the microplastic discharge is considerable and is dramatically visible as black deposits on the snow.

There is usually a snow collection point for the snow removed from the site. In order to collect the plastic particles carried out during snow clearing when the piles of snow melt, this area is equipped with the SPORTFIX CLEAN snow trap channel. This collects and filters the melted snow with the microplastic particles (granulate and broken blades of grass). The amount of microplastic that can be collected in a single place is tremendous. The size of the collection point can easily be adapted to the local snow conditions.

Since the filtration system is combined with the linear drainage, it results in only minor additional costs. The HAURATON filter system SPORTFIX CLEAN inclusive the drainage channels along the artificial turf pitch costs approx. 35,000 euros. In addition, there are costs for the installation which can also be paid for by the clubs themselves.

The system is proven to work reliably over long periods of time. The maintenance intervals are far apart and cleaning the filter is simple: after many years of use, a so-called filter cake forms on the filter surface. This is peeled off every three to five years during maintenance and only the removed filter substrate is refilled.

Whether football, hockey or rugby pitch - where artificial turf sports facilities are used all over the world, drainage systems are usually also required. Not only surface water running off the pitch and contaminated with microplastic, but also microplastic parts transported by abrasion and wind are safely collected along the pitch. The water is collected and drained off in the channel run. The HAURATON filter system can also be retrofitted in existing systems.

Fabian Reuter, the idea generator and initiator of the product range, emphasises: "This guarantees long-term investment security for operators. Even if the artificial turf surface is replaced, the channel filter system can be maintained and reused regardless of the type of artificial turf used."