FAQ 01 Issues in Fields

More in this section

• Teamwork
• ESG Criteria
• Safe Grounds
• Ecological Transition
• Benefit Activities
• FAQ 01 Issues in Fields
• FAQ 02 Player Safety
• FAQ 03 The Risks of Rubber
• FAQ 04 Zinc in Rubber
• FAQ 05 Advice to Players
• FAQ 06 How does POWERgrass solve?
• FAQ 07 Sports Fields Standards
• FAQ 08 Hours of play per week
• FAQ 09 Cost-Benefit Analysis
• FAQ 10 Regular vs Extraordinary
• FAQ 11 The Challenges of Sports Fields
• FAQ 12 Environmental standards and the field
• FAQ 13 Meaning of Sustainable Fields
• FAQ 14 Fields and Greenwashing

The hybrid POWERgrass system offers a solution to balance performance and sustainability in natural and synthetic grass sports fields. The innovation lies in the integration of natural grass with artificial grass, resulting in a more resistant and versatile mixed turf, without compromising the environmental and playing characteristics of the natural lawn. Therefore, this system combines the advantages of the two types of grass, representing an effective response to the various needs of the market.

A hybrid field reduces the heat island effect

To better clarify the topic, we submitted the most common questions to our specialist, Dr. Niko Sarris. He is the creator of the system and holds 5 patents. Working on the front line with the POWERgrass team, Dr. Sarris is dedicated to disseminating concepts and information to understand this innovative, high-performance, and sustainable technology.

Dr. Sarris affirms that the hybrid system promotes a natural and resilient ecosystem to reverse the biodiversity decline caused by entirely synthetic fields which, as known, have a negative impact on the ecosystem. However, if the construction of a synthetic field turns out to be the only possible solution, environmental compensation must be provided to restore the natural surface that has been taken from the public green. This may involve planting trees or creating lawns, which however require higher costs and soil consumption.

In all other cases, where the growth of natural grass is possible, an innovative and efficient method is a hybrid system with minimal maintenance costs, which can have a positive ecological impact, to reduce soil consumption and, at the same time, provide an extremely functional field for matches and training.

But let's see in detail what the issues are and how the POWERgrass hybrid system solves them.

What problems can sports fields made of natural and synthetic grass present?

In the sports landscape, the choice of the type of playing field is fundamental and there is no lack of contrasting positions between supporters of natural grass fields and those of synthetic grass. Both solutions present positive and negative aspects: natural grass fields, although they offer a more traditional and pleasant gaming experience, can be subject to erosion problems and require constant and expensive maintenance. On the other hand, synthetic grass fields

What issues can arise from sports fields made of natural and synthetic grass?

In the sports landscape, the choice of the type of field of play is crucial, and there are contrasting positions between the supporters of fields in natural grass and those in synthetic grass. Both solutions have positive and negative aspects: the natural grass fields, although offering a more traditional and enjoyable gameplay experience, can be subject to erosion problems and require constant and expensive maintenance. On the other hand, synthetic grass fields are more durable and require less maintenance, but their surface, due to the lack of moisture, can be harder and therefore potentially dangerous for players.

Natural grass fields require costly maintenance measures such as restoring the turf post-game, irrigation, fertilization, reseeding, and antiparasitic and weeding treatments. Also, they can be easily damaged by adverse weather conditions such as rain or frost, especially if combined with intensive use that can cause wear and soil compaction and mud, resulting in grassless areas and uneven terrains. This can increase the risk of injuries for athletes, and above all, making the field unusable for much of the season, except for complete returfing operations that few can afford, not to mention that depending on the climate it is not always possible.

Synthetic grass fields, on the other hand, have a low ability to absorb heat, which can result in very high surface temperatures during the summer months. This can cause comfort and health problems for athletes. These fields can also be more hard and more slippery compared to natural grass, increasing the risk of contact or fall injuries.

Lastly, the manufacturing and disposal of synthetic grass can have a negative environmental impact that in recent years has led to a skyrocketing increase in the disposal costs of the rubber present in the system. The environmental impact can also be negative during the maintenance and returfing of the natural grass fields if we also consider the use of pesticides, weed killers, and synthetic fertilizers.

In conclusion, both synthetic and natural fields present advantages and disadvantages. The choice between these two should take into consideration various factors, including the available budget, the intended use, climatic conditions, availability of resources for maintenance and the effect on the environment. In recent years, environmental issues have gained increasing importance. As a result, the latest regulations require a sustainability study to be conducted. This is critical as the affected area is large and could hide unexpected costs and surprises.