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Valorization of Raw Wool Waste as a Sustainable and Biodegradable Alternative Infill for Artificial Turf Systems
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Researchers turned leftover sheep wool into dense pellets as a replacement for rubber granules used as infill in artificial turf. Lab tests showed the wool pellets met international safety and performance standards for shock absorption and ball bounce, while water exposure improved cushioning and kept particles in place, offering a potential non-plastic alternative to rubber crumbs.
This study presents a sustainable circular economy approach to valorize raw wool waste by developing engineered, biodegradable bio-pellets as a functional replacement for styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) infills in synthetic turf systems. To overcome physical limitations and address upcoming regulatory restrictions on microplastics (Regulation (EU) 2023/2055), raw wool was processed into dense pellets through controlled water inclusion and compounding with density-increasing mineral additives (Dolomite and Barite). Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) was utilized to precisely quantify the inorganic fractions and thermal stability of the resulting formulations. The physical, mechanical, and biomechanical behavior of the wool-based composites was comprehensively evaluated, focusing on Shock Absorption (SA), Vertical Deformation (VD), and Energy Restitution (ER) across different elastic subbases. Results confirm that the developed bio-pellets fit within the stablished ranges of international mechanical standards (EN 15330-1, FIFA, and World Rugby). Furthermore, moisture-induced swelling permanently enhances damping performance and prevents particle displacement, while the intrinsic hydrophilic nature of the keratin matrix could provide hydro-thermal stabilization and reduce electrostatic charges compared to conventional SBR crumbs. By leveraging existing fertilizer processing infrastructure, this work demonstrates a scalable route to transform a problematic agricultural waste into a high-performance, non-toxic, and eco-friendly material for advanced engineering applications.
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This review examines sustainable approaches to wool processing and valorization as an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic polymers that generate micro- and nanoplastics. The study highlights new applications for wool beyond textiles, including thermal insulation, fertilizer use, and biomedical materials, emphasizing wool's natural biodegradability as a key advantage over plastic-based fibers.
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Researchers reviewed the environmental fate of recycled tyre rubber granulate used as infill on artificial turf fields, finding that while the material provides significant CO2 savings compared to alternatives, dispersal of approximately 3,000-5,000 kg per field per year to surrounding environments raises microplastic pollution concerns.
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Researchers developed biodegradable soil additives from waste wool, jute, and linen as alternatives to synthetic materials that break down into microplastics. In a three-year field test, the natural fiber materials gradually biodegraded in soil while still providing water-retention benefits for plant growth. This approach could help reduce the steady buildup of microplastics in agricultural soil that comes from using conventional synthetic soil amendments.
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Researchers tested MWool recycled wool fibers for marine biodegradability and ecotoxicity, finding that these fibers biodegrade in marine conditions and show low toxicity to marine organisms, supporting their potential as a more sustainable alternative to synthetic microfibers from textile washing.
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