Hybrid field on Via Adda in Grosseto

The Saurorispescia sports center is equipped with a hybrid pitch

Grosseto hybrid field

The Saurorispescia sports center in Grosseto today has an innovative 11-a-side football pitch, made of reinforced natural grass or rather hybrid grass because it is possible to play with or without natural grass. The dimensions of the playing area are 100x60 m. they offer the opportunity to play on a real professional field. The hybrid system combines the comfort of natural grass with the resistance of synthetic grass, offering more play, more safety and more environment.

The hybrid system created perfectly integrates natural grass with synthetic grass and offers a resistant and high-performance field capable of hosting professional events at an international level. The hybrid pitch can be used for matches and training up to 20-25 hours a week during the entire growth period of the turf. During the winter the pitch is playable even if the natural grass reduces its density but starts to grow again in the spring. The hybrid surface suffers less thermal stress caused by winter frost or summer heat.

The hybrid system enables a longer life with simple maintenance. It is a perfect symbiosis because, while the natural grass is reinforced by the fibers that protrude on the surface and by the mesh to anchor its roots, in turn, the synthetic fibers are protected by the natural grass from exposure to the sun's UV rays which causes the plastic material to age prematurely. Therefore, it lasts well over 50% compared to an entirely synthetic pitch and the guarantee is extended to 12 years even if, in reality, the pitch lasts longer and has no real expiry date.

Compared to a natural field, no holes form and any human error or biotic or abiotic stress can be recovered within a few weeks with little maintenance. The hybrid system prevents any sudden risk that requires costly extraordinary maintenance interventions.
Compared to a synthetic pitch, it is not necessary to replenish the infill or necessarily replace the pitch every 8/10 years. The hybrid system is always renewable, even when the synthetic fibers wear out because, over time, it simply becomes less reinforced by the synthetic fibers which can undergo aging over time.

An innovative hybrid field with unique characteristics

The hybrid pitch perfectly integrates natural grass into a specifically designed synthetic turf. Natural grass becomes predominant over synthetic grass, eliminating all other parts of plastic materials (the coating, the rubber, the mats, the band and the glues). This is possible thanks to a hybrid grass system with resilient fibres, well heat-welded to an ad hoc backing. The system is protected by 4 patents invented by Dr. Niko Sarris, making him a world expert on the subject.

The resilient synthetic fibres protrude to the surface by 20-25 mm and protect the crowns of the plants from intensive trampling. During germination the fibers shade the shoots against the sun's UV-B rays, preventing the young plants from drying out, thus ensuring rapid and uniform growth.

The backing has an open, three-dimensional and uniform structure which acts as an anchor point for the roots that penetrate it from the first growth period. The evaporation of the water under the backing is reduced and in addition it offers an insulating effect to the underlying roots, protecting the most delicate part of the plant from drying out and from temperature changes in summer and winter.

The hybrid system gives a new meaning to the word "hybrid field" because it is possible to use the field for play straight away by playing on synthetic grass because the fibers all protrude onto the surface or playing on reinforced natural grass which grows vigorously and quickly right between the fibers of the synthetic turf.

Reduced maintenance with positive environmental impact

Hybrid vs natural

The POWERgrass team has developed the HEALgreen maintenance method based on the teachings of regenerative agriculture for turf care. The method offers notable benefits and involves the most appropriate use of mineral nutrients with biological physio-activators and the reduction of the use of pesticides, until their complete elimination. The growth of turf for sports use has as its main limitation the intensive trampling because it compresses the porosity, altering the physical properties of the soil, limiting the gaseous exchange between the soil and the air. However, by aerating the surface and lightening the soil regularly, the gas exchange (CO₂ â‡„ O₂) necessary for biological processes is guaranteed. In the draining and well-aerated substrate the microorganisms proliferate and mineralize forms of nutrients inaccessible to plants, both those present in the soil and those supplied with fertilizers. During the days sunny, by frequently cutting the natural grass and letting the grass settle on the ground, a part of the nutrients re-enter the cycle thanks to biological activity.

From an environmental point of view, there are numerous reasons to use the HEALgreen method which can be summarized as follows:

capture fine dust by purifying the air, with the evapo-transpiration of natural grass,
capture carbon from the air in the soil, while emitting more oxygen,
reduce the air temperature, thanks to more efficient cooling,
prevent pollution of underground aquifers by filtering rainwater
reduce mosquitoes during the summer months,
reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers
reduce until completely eliminating the use of pesticides and herbicides
offer natural sanitisation, for a healthier city life.

Only with the regenerative agriculture method is it possible to guarantee soil regeneration and have a positive environmental impact. The maintenance of all green spaces is the only method to combat pollution in our cities. It is everyone's responsibility which pays off in our health by also offering a prestigious aesthetic appearance.