Circulary

As the first company in the world to do so, the Danish company Re-Match has developed a separation process which makes it possible to recycle 99 per cent of worn out artificial turf used in soccer pitches, golf courses, playgrounds etc. By using a patented state-of-the-art technology, Re-Match is able to separate the worn out artificial turf into raw, clean components such as rubber, sand and different plastics. These components are then reused in the turf industry or sold as standalone products for other purposes.

Even the highest quality of artificial turf needs to be replaced every eight to ten years. Furthermore, studies show that the international demand for artificial turf is growing. The current approach to disposing of worn out artificial turf is to landfill or incineration, both of these methods leave behind huge CO² emissions. By looping the resources, Re-Match is able to combat these harmful emissions. With their separation technology, Re-Match helps in solving an overlooked waste problem by completing the life-cycle of the used material – a cradle-to-cradle solution.

• By using Re-Match’s advanced separation technology, stadiums and sports arenas around the world are now able to dispose and replace their artificial turf in a more sustainable and cheaper way than ever before. The price of disposal can be cut by 10% compared to expenses related to the current ways of disposing worn out artificial turf. Afterwards, the recycled materials can be sold at roughly 80% of the price of new virgin materials.
• On a global scale, 9000+ pitches will become waste in 2017 which makes Re-Match an important solution to a major waste problem in the near future.
• The re-match process emits less than 20 tonnes of CO² per pitch. When incinerated, a pitch releases 340 tonnes of CO². Furthermore, the production of new materials for a pitch emits approximately 80 tonnes of CO². To sum up, Re-Match achieves a net CO² saving of roughly 400 tonnes of CO² per pitch.

• In Denmark, the interpretation and enforcement of the European waste regulation is different and in most cases stricter compared to the interpretation in other member states. This is damaging to Re-Match’s ability to compete on the European market. Comprehensive admission papers, financial guarantees and demands according to the Waste Shipment Regulation placed on the transport companies are just some of the elements distorting the competitive balance. There is a lack of streamlined legislation with room for equal interpretation and enforcement.
• The definition of ‘recycling’ is inaccurate and diluted. In order to clarify their product quality and positive impact on the environment, Re-Match has chosen to get their technology ETV certified. Certificates like the ETV are important tools for circular companies, as it allows them to signal the quality of treatment to companies wanting to sell their waste based products. There is currently an absence of a more precise definition of recycling alongside EU regulation that acknowledges recycling as a valid business strategy.

Confederation of Danish Industry
State of Green

Dennis Andersen

+45 6120 4641

da@re-match.dk