PBAT Infill Granules for UV-Stable Low-Microplastic Artificial Turf
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing artificial turf systems face environmental issues due to plastic material degradation into microplastics and a need for sustainable, UV-resistant infill materials that provide similar or better performance than natural turfs.
Innovation Solution
An artificial turf system using granules composed of at least 60 wt% polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) with a dark green pigment for UV protection, which are fully compostable and require less infill to prevent microplastic release, offering high flexibility and performance for various sports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional plastic infill materials are used in artificial turf systems, then sport performance requirements are met, but environmental pollution occurs due to microplastic degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameter from traditional plastic (polyethylene, polypropylene) to PBAT biodegradable polymer, maintaining sport performance while enabling environmental degradation into non-microplastic byproducts. This parameter change transforms the harmful factor generation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structure combining PBAT polymer with pigment masterbatch (containing organic pigments and carriers). This composite approach provides both the mechanical performance needed for sport applications and the biodegradability required to eliminate microplastic pollution.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If biodegradable infill materials are used to reduce environmental impact, then microplastic release is prevented, but UV resistance and durability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pigment masterbatch as an intermediary substance that absorbs UV radiation and protects the PBAT polymer from degradation. The masterbatch acts as a mediator between the biodegradable polymer and environmental UV exposure, preventing direct damage while allowing controlled biodegradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite formulation of PBAT plus pigment masterbatch creates a material that combines the biodegradability of PBAT with the UV-protection properties of the pigment system, simultaneously addressing both environmental and durability requirements.
3Reliability
If infill layer thickness is increased to improve sport performance, then performance characteristics are enhanced, but environmental pollution and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material density and compressibility parameters of the infill by using PBAT granules with specific physical properties. This allows achieving the same performance characteristics with reduced infill thickness and quantity compared to traditional plastic infills.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The PBAT-based granules provide ideal playing surfaces with reduced microplastic contamination, meeting FIFA Quality Pro standards, and are fully compostable, contributing to a circular chemical economy.
Implementation Method 1
a pigment or pigment masterbatch, wherein said pigment or pigment masterbatch is a dark green pigment configured to form a UV-light protecting surface
Data Source
Figure 1~3g
Figure 4a~4d
AI summary
An artificial turf system, comprises: an artificial grass layer comprising a substrate and pile fibers upstanding from the substrate and an infill layer, disposed on the substrate and interspersed between the pile fibers. The infill layer comprises granules comprising at least 60 wt% polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and a pigment or pigment masterbatch. The pigment may be dark, such as dark green. Additives such as one or more fillers or additional polymers may also be used. The granules are compostable and highly flexible. The granules may e.g. be shaped as cylindrical granules. The new infill is in particular useful as an infill material on artificial turfs for football, where it has passed the highest performance and quality tests by FIFA (FIFA Quality Pro). The outstanding properties are correlated to a high flexibility and softness of the material, giving rise to reduced requirement of infill (<8.5 kg/m2). Used granules may furthermore be recycled as to move towards a circular chemical economy with no harmful impact on the environment.