Innovative technology

After many years of research and development by our product engineers and together with industry partners, in 2023, we were the first turf manufacturer to produce an artificial sports turf, crafted with components derived from worn out end-of-life artificial turf sports fields. We aptly called it Turf-to-Turf™ technology.

In an exclusive partnership with a leading industry expert turf recycler and in close collaboration with ‘Victoria Grass Group’ sister companies Schramm (Yarn extrusion) and United Works (Tufting and backing), we were able to achieve this remarkable milestone. The innovation was brought to a halt beginning 2025, when Re-Match (the only recycling company able to produce and supply the clean recycled turf component neccessary) filed for bankruptcy.

Main objective

Turf-to-Turf™ (the repurposing of end-of-life turf to circular renewable turf), was a giant leap forward. One the industry had been researching and chasing for decades and still is. Because existing turf recycling solutions, where end-of-life turf is recycled back into lower-end products (field kick boards, picnic benches, shore protection etc.) don’t really contribute to the main objective of lowering the demand for virgin material in turf products.

With the experience of applying recycled turf components into new yans, we shifted to PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) plastics to exchange the recycled turf component in our yarns and coating. Within our Post-to-Play™ technology program, we’re already offering our successful Edel Athmos and Edel Xero backing coating made with PCR plastic and currently developing new products withing this durable range.

Green Deal

With innovative technologies as our revolutionary Turf-to-Turf™ innovation and now our durable Post-to-Play™ program, we are convinced we are on track to bridge the gap towards circularity. Already current achievements put us on the path of complying to and meeting ‘Green Deal’ restrictions set by the European Commission well-before the first deadline of 55% plastic waste reduction by recycling in 2030.

Edel Athmos

A durable innovation coming from our Turf-to-Turf™ technology, in 2023 at world expo FSB, we introduced ‘Edel Athmos’. A long pile sports turf to build 3G synthetic sports pitches, crafted with 50% recycled turf component applied in the core of the yarn, featuring our ‘Edel Xero’ backing coating.

With ‘Edel Athmos’, currently made with PCR plastic component, our product developers within Victoria Grass Group exceeded expectations by climbing a mountain the industry thought couldn’t be climbed. Producing turf from recycled turf. They designed a sports system with it and had it extensively tested and accredited by an independent laboratory.

After achieving 15,000 cycles in the Lisport XL test (which is double the requirement for FIFA approval), the system not only showed its durability, it also proved to be superior in performance. We are now able to offer ‘Edel Athmos’ systems as a ‘sustainable’ solution to build certified pitches according to FIFA and other (international) sports federation’s standards.

Life Cycle Assessment

Already in an early stage an independent Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) on ‘Edel Athmos’ featuring ‘Edel Xero’ was completed to compare it with a comparable traditional turf system produced with virgin materials.

As part of the full LCA report, the Environmental Cost Indicator (ECI) including CO2-footprint, showed a staggering 43.3% reduction on environmental costs during the life cycle. A decrease that undoubtedly will lead to new benchmarks in the sports turf industry.

Discover ‘Edel Athmos’

Next steps

By constantly investing in and improving by R&D, exploiting technological possibilities to the fullest, our ambition is becoming recognized as an innovative leader in our industry.

With developments mentioned above we are aiming for better circularity. Simultaneously, already minimize the incineration of plastic waste and associated CO2 emissions. Sure enough, there will be challenges. Not every development leads directly to improvement. Not all innovations will be succesfull.

This will not detract us from our focus. We strongly support the idea of closing the loop is a responsibility on our shoulders as part of and supported by Victoria Grass Group’s vision. Succeeding this mission is a must to secure a bright and collective future for our industry, as well as people and planet.

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For more information on latest developments, technical (product) information, quotes or advise on your next sports field, please contact us via sales@edelgrass.com or +31(0)38 425 00 50.

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