An artificial field hockey pitch that never has to be watered. With Pure EP by GreenFields, a subsidiary of TenCate, global supplier of and innovator in artificial turf for sports fields, the field hockey world is taking step toward greater sustainability and the ongoing globalization of field hockey.
Field hockey players say the new dry (non-irrigated) hockey turf rivals the quality of water-based artificial turf, while saving on water use. This innovation, which has been in the works for four years, also makes it possible to play top-level field hockey in countries where water is scarce.
Field hockey club MHC Weesp is the owner of the world’s first dry (non-irrigated) hockey turf field. The field was certified by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). After the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the FIH intends to exclusively use water- and infill-free artificial turf at the international level.
Vincent Homrighausen, managing director GreenFields and downstream EMEA at TenCate: “In 2018, the FIH announced its sustainable ambition to begin the transition towards water-free hockey fields after the Olympic Games in Paris. A water-based artificial turf field in the Netherlands requires 3.5 to 5 million liters of water per year. Given the growing water shortage and the lack of equal opportunities to play this sport, it was high time for a change.
“At GreenFields, we care about sustainability. This philosophy perfectly matches FIH’s ambition to make field hockey a sustainable sport. Furthermore, Pure EP will create a level playing field in the international world of field hockey. Due to water scarcity, water-based artificial pitches are a rare sight in countries such as India and Pakistan. Those countries lack the infrastructure of water-based artificial turf that we have here in the Netherlands.”