Actions to fight secondary microplastic pollution gain momentum

10 Mins Read

November 15, 2023

Synthetic yarn producers, tufters and installers are all working very hard to improve their products to prevent authorities having to introduce legislation in an attempt to curb secondary microplastic pollution. Here is a status report.

By: Guy Oldenkotte

In September this year, the European Commission adopted a resolution that will ban the sale of intentionally added microplastics from 2031. This means that polymeric infills like SBR, TPE or EPDM that fall within the definition, effective October 2031, can still be used in fields that are already installed but can no longer be traded. The same applies to biodegradable infills that are produced from a polymer.

The EU considers infill particles to be a microplastic when the dimensions are smaller than 5 mm.

Secondary microplastic pollution is caused through wear or degradation of polymeric materials. In respect to synthetic turf systems, this applies to the yarn and the backing as well as most glue tapes. Any fragment of these components that is smaller than 15 mm and that is found outside the field perimeter is considered to be pollution.

Where microplastic pollution from polymeric infills was mainly an issue to be addressed by users of synthetic turf football, rugby, American football or Gaelic fields, to name a few, secondary microplastic pollution from synthetic turf affects any owner of a synthetic turf product.

Problem positioning

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