The European Commission has spoken. From September 2031, onwards it will no longer allow the placing of polymeric infills like SBR, TPE or EPDM onto the European market. What does this mean for the market for infill products?

The one natural infill that, for a long time, was deemed a one-on-one replacement for SBR, is cork. Anno 2024, cork infill is an established product, but the initial enthusiasm associated with it has been dampened a bit. “It is available in various bulk densities but the incorrect selection in various projects has resulted in the product being deemed unsuitable for use in certain environments, like in the coastal areas in northern Europe, where strong winds can blow it out of the carpet,” an industry insider told Sportsfields.Magazine. Used in a carpet where the yarn better covers the cork, it can certainly deliver the required criteria, as was proven in a Swedish study. Yet, the insider remains sceptical. “Despite its popularity as an infill for synthetic turf, this market is still very small for the cork producers. The volumes they sell to, for example, producers of sound-dampening panels, gaskets or wine stoppers, is many times more.” It is true that the big cork producers have started planting more trees to up their output, but it takes at least 25 years before these can be harvested for the first time. Some middlemen are taking advantage of this and are offering cork granulates derived from recycling wine stoppers or inferior quality cork. “The first one can be contaminated with other materials like the foil that would have sealed the bottle. The second can eventually pulverize and block the drainage holes in the carpet backing.” When aspired to use cork for a synthetic turf project, the devil is clearly in the fine print.

Wood particles

Infill that is derived from trees has a fibre structure, making playing on a field with this type of infill a completely different experience. “Players used to playing on SBR often perceive a field with this Brockfill as being harder. However, data from the testing devices will show something different. The perception is merely caused by the different structure of the material,” explains Joop van Krimpen of Condor Grass. US-based Brock was the first to see value in using tree particles as an infill and Condor Grass quickly introduced it to the European market. “The infill maintains its shape and continuous performance as intended over a longer lifespan.” Van Krimpen uses the product only as part of a synthetic turf system. “The performance of a synthetic turf field is always the sum of the contribution of various components. We work very closely with the synthetic turf system designers of our partners to find the right balance between carpet, shockpad and Brockfill,” he adds. The infill is also gaining momentum, as it helps cool down the immediate environment. “Virtually all organic infills help reduce the ambient temperature, as they gradually release moisture into the atmosphere. Moreover, Brockfill has a lower thermal conductivity, which reduces heat transmission through shoes and skin. The difference is even greater after rain.”

Cork mixtures

Cork is also used in mixtures with other organic materials. The combination with coconut fibre is best known. “This combination will allow the player to better place their studs in the field,” as you see with natural grass says Wil Ditzel, a veteran in the synthetic turf industry. The combination is being offered by both Limonta Sport and Italgreen and their respective partners. Some claim that the fibres can hold seven or eight times their weight in moisture. “The coconut fibres in particular absorb water, which they will gradually release, thereby cooling down the ambient temperature.” For areas that experience a wet climate or do not necessarily need to have a cooling capacity, Ditzel advises a combination of cork and olive pits. “This combination does not absorb the moisture, making this kind of infill more suitable for colder areas like Scandinavia.”

Infill from corn residue

Corn infill for synthetic turf is a relatively new and innovative material that is gaining popularity due to its sustainability and performance benefits. It is made from recycled corn cobs that are processed into small, uniform granules. Corn infill requires less energy to produce than other types of infill, and it can be easily recycled or composted at the end of its lifespan. It is slightly more expensive than traditional infill. However, over time, the cost savings associated with corn infill’s sustainability and durability can offset the initial investment.

Still in the mix

September 2031 only marks the start of a ban to sell polymeric infills, but stock that is already owned by the field owner can be used until depleted, irrespective of the timespan this will take. The European Tire Recycling Association (ETRA) points out that much can still happen in the coming years. “Eight years is a long period of time. Over the past 2-3 years, the world has changed, and the direction is not clear yet,” says ETRA President Ettore Musacchi. “We would recommend in any case that on this kind of field, some simple containment measure be installed. They have been demonstrated to be effective and would allow a better acceptance by users, as it is a clear message of attention and responsibility.” The ETRA President points out that using polymeric infills, and SBR in particular, is still the best call. “It is not easy to control several tens of tons of organic infill material, as this material may be inconsistent and from different origin.” Polymeric infills have the advantage that the quality and performance characteristics of each particle are defined and controlled. “Recycled SBR is a top-quality product,” is his message.