The first biodegradable artificial grass pitch in the world was opened today at football club EHS’85 in Emmen. The sustainable mat is recyclable and reusable as compost.
The province of Drenthe previously reported that this could lead to ‘huge opportunities for environmental gain’, looking at the 3,500 other artificial grass pitches in the Netherlands. She also supported the project financially, as did the municipality of Emmen.
The durable piece of substrate was supplied by the Bucket company Senbis Polymer Innovations. A field was developed with a number of parties that can withstand various weather conditions and meets the requirements of the KNVB.
The degradable mat in Emmerschans is the size of a pupil field, including billboards and dug-outs. Provincial administrator Henk Brink expressed his praise for the initiative last year. “This circular synthetic turf field proves once again that our Drenthe business community is at the forefront of the transition to a green economy.”