Hybrid grass

This article is about grass reinforced with other material. For grass hybrids, see Grass (disambiguation).

Hybrid grass or reinforced natural grass is a product created by combining natural grass with synthetic reinforcing fibres. It is used for stadium pitches[1] and training pitches, used for association football,[2] rugby,[3] American football and baseball. Reinforced natural grass can also be used for events and concerts. The synthetic fibres incorporated into the rootzone make the grass stronger and more resistant to damage.[4]

A first generation of hybrid grass appeared in the 1990s. Grass roots were allowed to interwine with a mix of sand and synthetic fibres as they grew.[4] Two main methods exist to insert synthetic fibres in the root zone. The first is to inject fibres in the sand with a tufting machine. This is the method used to create Desso Grassmaster.[5]

The second method is to mix fibres and sand in an automated plant and to install it afterwards on the pitch: this process is known as Fibresand.[6]

These original types of hybrid grass were harder than natural grass, creating concerns about the risk of injuries for players and maintenance for groundsmen. A recently developed process combines three elements: sand, which is the main component of the rootzone; synthetic fibres, to reinforce the pitch; and an additional element to enable softness. As new technology there is the Italian Hybrid System named Mixto Hybrid Grass Technology, which is a mix of natural and artificial grass, a more flexible solution comparing with the old systems above. This system could be also produced in turf rolls and the installation is very fast. The results on the surface, are the same looking the injection systems but Mixto Hybrid Grass Technology has the big advantage of the flexibility. This system permit the management on the surface achieving the range of softness requested from the players, guaranteeing also the stability requested.

Two patented technologies of this type are AirFibr, a technology developed by Natural Grass, which uses natural cork as the softness element,[7][8] and Fibrelastic, developed by Mansfield Sand, which uses elastane fibres as the softness element.[9][10]

References

  1. ↑ National Stadium at Singapore Sports Hub unveils state-of-the-art hybrid grass pitch - 938LIVE on xinmsn Entertainment
  2. ↑ World-Class Hybrid Grass for the World Cup: Video - Bloomberg
  3. ↑ BBC Sport - Murrayfield pitch to be replaced with hybrid grass
  4. 1 2 Rowaan, Dave (10 March 2014). "Hybrid grass, football, and soccer: Can it work?". SB Nation.
  5. ↑ Desso GrassMaster technology
  6. ↑ "Artificial Grass Installation Process". www.waterwisegrass.com. Water wise Grass. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
  7. ↑ "WIPO Patent". WIPO.
  8. ↑ Description of the AirFibr Technology, ESTAC.fr, August 8th 2013
  9. ↑ "WIPO Patent". WIPO.
  10. ↑ Fibrelastic technology
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