Hybrid grass

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 intertwine with a mix of sand and synthetic fibres as they grew.^[4] Three 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]

The third method is to put a mat with woven or tufted fibres on the surface, to brush in sand or sand mixes afterwards to keep the fibres in an upright position and to seed grass mixtures finally. The natural grass roots through the mat and stabilizes the system.

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.

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]

Mixto Hybrid Grass and Eurogreen CombiGrass^[11] are hybrid mat technologies. They can also be produced in turf rolls for the use in heavy treatment areas such as middle axes or goal mouthes.

References