A Danish test and development project intended to verify whether the recommendations described in CEN-TR 17519 are sufficient to limit dispersal from polymeric infills has concluded that infill migration can be reduced to 10 kg.

The project studied a full-size football field with extra playing area at one end that was opened in 2022. It was finished with an artificial turf carpet with 11,025 diamond-shaped fiberes per m2 and 66 tonnes of SBR infill. The carpet was installed on an e-layer.

During the design of the pitch, Silkeborgbanen, Silkeborg Municipality, in cooperation with engineering consultants WSP, planned where the rubber granulate should be, where it is acceptable, and where no granulate should be found. Based on this plan, containment measures such as fencing, barriers and entrance/exit gates for both users and maintenance equip ment have been installed.

Between June 2022 and March 2024, experts from the Danish Technological Institute and engineering consultancy Sweco collected data. Data collection and processing was carried out for Silkeborg Municipality and DBU.

Key Findings

• Effective Containment: Properly installed barriers, particularly those at a height of 60 cm, significantly reduced unintended dispersal of rubber granules. The study confirmed that the CEN report’s recommendation of 50 cm barriers is sufficient.
• Minimal Environmental Impact: With appropriate containment and maintenance practices, annual infill dispersal was limited to less than 10 kg per year. This is substantially lower than the European Commission’s estimate of 500 kg/pitch/year, which informed the upcoming ban on rubber granulate in artificial turf, effective October 17, 2031.
• Human Behaviour as a Factor: The research highlighted that maintenance activities, especially during snow removal, posed the highest risk for microplastic dispersal. For instance, during a snowfall event, temporary reduction of barrier height to 20 cm led to significant granulate spread into spectator areas.
• Player-Related Dispersal: Infill carried off the pitch by players and coaches was found to be insignificant. Most of the granulate adhered to footwear was deposited in changing rooms or at home, eventually ending up in waste destined for incineration.

The Silkeborgbanen project demonstrates that, with thoughtful design and diligent maintenance, synthetic turf fields can be managed in an environmentally sustainable manner. These findings offer valuable insights for municipalities, sports clubs, and facility managers aiming to balance the benefits of artificial turf with ecological responsibility.