Synthetic turf project features at G20 meeting

Gandino, Italy  – A joint project by RadiciGroup, Versalis and Safitex Spa to develop recyclable synthetic grass has featured at an intergovernmental meeting linked to the recent G20 summit in Japan.

The application for sports fields was cited as a best-practice ‘circular-economy’ initiative by Italy’s ministry for economic development at the 8-9 June meeting.

The two-day meeting focused on business and policy examples for sustainable and inclusive growth through trade and investment, said a Radici press release issued 3 July.

Within their project, Versalis supplies polyethylene raw material, RadiciGroup the sports field fibres and Safitex the synthetic grass turf.

The all-Italian supply chain aims to enhance the recyclability of the entire system, without compromising its performance.

The overall goal is to reinforce the circularity of synthetic turf in order to reduce its end-of-life impact.

Currently, synthetic grass turf is mostly disposed of through landfill or incineration, which produces greenhouse gas emissions.

To assess environmental performance, the three partners carried out a life cycle assessment (LCA), each for its own product.

A conformity certificate was issued by a third-party certification company, highlighting the lighter environmental footprint of the end-product.