Aduro Clean Technologies Inc and AstroTurf Corporation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to evaluate the application of Aduro’s Hydrochemolytic™ Technology to end-of-life synthetic turf.
The MOU establishes a framework for Aduro and AstroTurf to evaluate how Hydrochemolytic technology (HCT), together with appropriate mechanical pre-treatment, can support a technical and economic pathway for recovering the polyethylene and polypropylene fractions of end-of-life synthetic turf. The recovered PP and PE are converted into liquid hydrocarbon products suitable for use as circular feedstock in existing petrochemical infrastructure.
Aduro Clean Technologies uses the power of chemistry to transform lower value feedstocks, like waste plastics, heavy bitumen, and renewable oils, into new resources.
The parties intend to work together to better understand the practical requirements, material preparation steps, and process considerations needed to advance recycling options for synthetic turf waste. For Aduro, the engagement builds on its existing work on synthetic turf materials and provides another opportunity to collaborate with a recognized industry participant, following prior testing conducted through a separate confidential engagement with another global synthetic turf producer.
Positive results
Aduro’s previously announced laboratory testing of post-use synthetic turf demonstrated selective conversion of the PE and PP components into shorter-chain hydrocarbon products suitable for further upgrading or use as steam-cracker feedstock, while also confirming the importance of upstream preparation and separation.
Through the MOU, Aduro and AstroTurf intend to assess the practical steps required to recover and prepare the PE/PP fraction from end-of-life turf for HCT evaluation. The work is expected to focus on the pathway from field recovery and disassembly through de-infill, separation of non-target materials, cleaning or preparation of the polyolefin-rich fraction, and potential management of side streams. By connecting Aduro’s chemical conversion approach with AstroTurf’s 60-year legacy in synthetic sports surfacing and practical knowledge of turf system design, installation, and end-of-life considerations, the collaboration aims to define how mechanical pre-treatment and HCT conversion can work together as part of a broader recycling pathway for complex turf systems.
Article continues below
You can also read:
“Our prior testing showed that the polyethylene and polypropylene components of post-use turf can be converted using HCT, but the broader opportunity depends on understanding how those materials are recovered, prepared, and delivered into the process. Working with AstroTurf gives us an opportunity to connect our chemistry with real-world product knowledge, field recovery considerations, and the practical requirements needed to evaluate a more complete recycling pathway,” said Ofer Vicus, Chief Executive Officer of Aduro.
AstroTurf has publicly advanced sustainability initiatives focused on manufacturing, installation, and end-of-life operations, including partnerships intended to divert end-of-life turf from landfill and support circular recycling pathways. The MOU with Aduro provides an additional route for evaluating how advanced chemical recycling may complement existing mechanical recycling, take-back, and material recovery approaches.
“At AstroTurf, we have always believed that innovation should extend beyond field performance to include responsible end-of-life solutions,” said Robert Mitchell, Vice President of Development and Strategy at AstroTurf. “Working with Aduro gives us an opportunity to evaluate another pathway for difficult-to-process turf materials and to better understand how advanced recycling technologies may support circularity in our industry. This is an evaluation stage, but it is an important one as customers, communities, and regulators continue to look for more complete solutions for synthetic turf systems.”
The need for synthetic turf recycling is increasing as more fields reach end of life and as customers, communities, and regulators seek practical alternatives to landfill disposal. Policy frameworks in North America and Europe are placing greater emphasis on producer responsibility, recycled content, landfill diversion, and traceable circular outcomes, with New York State’s carpet extended producer responsibility framework providing one example of how end-of-life obligations may shape future demand for recycling solutions.
The MOU does not establish commercial deployment terms or a definitive commercial arrangement. Any future commercial, licensing, supply, tolling, or joint development arrangement would require separate definitive agreements between the parties. The collaboration remains part of Aduro’s broader stage-gated approach to evaluating HCT across complex plastic waste streams with industry participants.
Share this article
Stay tuned
and receive all updates directly in your inbox
