Groundbreaking Artificial Turf Technology Paves the Way for a Greener Future in Hockey

On September 24, 2024, the FIH celebrated a major milestone at the IOC Climate Action Awards in New York, receiving recognition for their efforts to reduce hockey's ecological footprint.

Key Partnership Between FIH and Polytan Promotes Water Savings

A crucial aspect of this achievement was the development of environmentally friendly hockey artificial turf. Since the 2012 Olympic Games in London, the FIH has partnered in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region with Sports Group subsidiaries Polytan, and in the U.S. with AstroTurf, to develop Poligras hockey turf technologies that significantly reduce water usage.

Paul Kamphuis, Head of Hockey at Sport Group, described the partnership as a meeting of shared values:
“Supporting the FIH's sustainability goals aligns with our corporate focus on reducing CO₂ emissions, recycling, and producing products from renewable and recycled materials.

From London 2012 to Tokyo 2020, we achieved a 40% reduction in water usage, and for Paris, we set even more ambitious targets for water and CO₂ savings. The water savings in Paris were again significant, and delivering the world's first CO₂-neutral artificial turf was a special achievement for us.”

Paris 2024: CO₂-Neutral Artificial Turf as a Pioneer in Hockey

For the recent Olympic Games in Paris 2024, Polytan introduced the world's first CO₂-neutral artificial turf, the Poligras Paris GT Zero. This turf utilizes the innovative Turf Glide technology, which drastically minimizes water consumption. Produced with filaments made from at least 80% bio-based raw materials and manufactured using green energy, the turf saves 73 tons of CO₂ compared to conventional options.

As France prepared for the games, additional CO₂-neutral turfs were installed across the country. Clubs like Lille and Racing Club de France embraced this innovation, ensuring a sustainable legacy for French hockey.

European Clubs Lead the Way in Global Sustainability Initiatives

To date, 50 Poligras Paris GT Zero turfs have been installed worldwide. This innovation sets a new standard for global sustainability in sports.
In the Netherlands, the Hockey Club Eindhoven became the first club to install two CO₂-neutral turfs. One is “dry” and does not require watering, while the other only needs minimal water and is supported by atmospheric humidity.
Fred van Wijk of Polytan Europe views this as a milestone in European hockey:
“The CO₂-neutral turfs in Eindhoven are part of a long-term commitment to hockey, which began with the first Olympic turf in Montreal in 1976. Since then, hockey has evolved into the fast, dynamic 3D game we know and love today. It has been our responsibility to evolve with the sport. That progressive clubs like Eindhoven are adopting the new turf is a significant step towards securing the future of hockey.”

At the Forefront of Sustainable Sports Technology

The FIH's commitment to sustainability, driven by collaboration with European partners, is setting new global standards in hockey. By investing in innovative technologies, European clubs are not only advancing the sport but also significantly reducing their ecological footprint. Eindhoven alone has reduced CO₂ emissions equivalent to 35 cars per year.
As more European clubs embrace these innovations, the FIH's vision for a sustainable future in hockey becomes a reality, demonstrating to the world how sports can actively tackle environmental challenges.

Poligras is available across Europe through Polytan and continues to support the FIH's mission for a greener future in hockey.