Design objectives

Hybrid system of natural grass reinforced by a special synthetic carpet that guarantees professional performance and playing safety and sustainability for small communities.

POWERgrass is an innovative hybrid system where natural grass grows better inside a special synthetic turf that has been designed to protect adult players until the last minute of the match and young players during all the years of their growth, because you cannot deny anyone a victory or end a dream of professional growth because of the pitch!
Dr. Niko Sarris

The POWERgrass section

The compaction of the playing surface represents the weak point common to all systems, be they natural, synthetic or hybrid, as it affects the dissipation and return of energy and, sometimes, too high a grip. While running or changing direction, athletes exert pressure on the ground that can exceed 30 kg/cm² through the studs. A part of this energy is absorbed during the first contact of the foot with the ground, preserved until a stable position is found, and finally returned in the push phase, thus helping to protect the muscles and ligaments.

POWERgrass combines performance, game safety and savings on maintenance.

The POWERgrass hybrid turf system is the ideal playing surface because it offers:

  1. predictable bounce of the ball for better control of the action because natural grass is dominant for 97% of the surface;
  2. stability of the surface during the player's run to make the action safer and soft in the event of a fall which preserves his health;
  3. Resistance to slipping of the player during acceleration and deceleration and greater traction during changes in direction.

No other natural, synthetic or hybrid grass system is able to offer similar playing characteristics for a high number of hours of play, reducing maintenance costs.

The POWERgrass hybrid grass system uses a synthetic grass mat made with a porous support suitable for the passage of roots and air. The hybrid carpet is laid on a suitable base made with a sandy substrate and once the rolls have been sewn together it is filled with the same sandy substrate, compliant with USGA standards. Inside the system there is an elastic element of natural origin. Synthetic fibers occupy up to 3% of the surface area leaving ample space for natural grass to grow. The hybrid carpet includes fibers with a height of 50 to 65 mm, sewn in uniform tufts every 3/4" and fixed with force >35 N, to a uniform three-dimensional support without obstructing its intrinsic porosity. Once the system has been installed and the natural grass has grown, the synthetic fibers protrude 20 mm to the surface for protecting the collar of the natural grass against intensive use; at the same time the roots are anchored to the porous supportwhich offers greater resistance to the tearing of the natural grass clods during intensive play. The final result is a playing surface with greater traction, stability, softness. During matches and training sessions no holes form which require intervention. expensive repairs.

Eleven general criteria to ensure compliance with sustainability and resilience requirements, maximizing the efficiency of the cost/benefit ratio.

Playground evaluation criteria

The specifications of the playing surface must satisfy as many requirements as possible; consequently, our analysis was based on a systematic and impartial evaluation of the different categories of available pitches. The adjacent table illustrates eleven general criteria and offers a summary evaluation for each football pitch alternative currently available on the market, with parameters that can also be extended to other sports disciplines played on natural grass.

  1. Mitigation of climate change - reduction of CO2
  2. Adaptation to climate change - soil erosion
  3. Sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources
  4. Transition towards a circular economy - waste reduction
  5. Prevention and reduction of pollution
  6. Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems
  7. Usability of the field throughout the competitive season
  8. Resilience to frequent gaming up to 30 hours per week
  9. Reduced risk of suspension of matches throughout the season
  10. Reduction in ordinary and extraordinary maintenance per hour of use
  11. Cost/benefit ratio over the life cycle of the system

Eco-friendly, long-lasting and easy to maintain

POWERgrass is a cutting-edge hybrid grass system designed for the construction of sports fields in accordance with the fundamental principles of the Green Economy. The cultivation of natural grass favors the reduction of temperatures and the sequestration of carbon in the soil, contributing to environmental improvement and the increase in the employment of specialized personnel, with a positive impact on the local economy. At the end of the life cycle, the system can be reused, even after twenty years, for public green areas, parks and gardens: it is sufficient to separate and recover the hybrid carpet, thanks to the warp-knitted backing which guarantees its integrity despite the numerous punctures, after removing the turf to allow it to be used again.

In the POWERgrass hybrid system, the synthetic grass is protected by the covering of natural grass, which extends its life beyond 20 years. Simply grow natural grass to obtain a renewable and durable field. This solution creates an optimal symbiosis with several common benefits: the natural grass defends the synthetic fibers from UV rays and from intensive play against wear and premature aging and stabilizes the infill against bad weather, making it compact thanks to its roots. In parallel, the synthetic fibers safeguard the crown of the seedlings on the surface, while the artificial support (the backing) favors the anchoring of the roots that penetrate in search of water and nutrients.

The POWERgrass system guarantees a uniform surface both during matches and for long training sessions. Thanks to hybrid technology, the natural grass becomes more resistant to external agents and it is possible to use the pitch at any time. Maintenance is simple and does not require particular skills, as it significantly reduces the need for interventions after the match. For ordinary maintenance, in addition to being able to automate cutting and marking of the lines with robots, it is enough to drill and aerate frequently the first layer above the backing, manage automatic irrigation and follow a precise fertilization program according to the principles of regenerative agriculture. Basic knowledge and consistency are enough to achieve good results. For specialized maintenance, deep holes are required every six months and periodic reseeding of the areas most subject to wear.

The POWERgrass hybrid grass system will provide savings of over 30% over 20 years of life compared to any other type of field. Investing today in POWERgrass is a responsible and far-sighted choice. In addition to sport, it is possible to carry out events or other activities on natural grass without worrying about damage from trampling.