SYNLawn introduces new biobased synthetic turf

SYNLawn introduced a new biobased and environmentally renewable polyethylene (PE) product made from Brazilian sugar cane. The new product, called SYNRenew synthetic turf, combines soy-based polyurethane BioCel and EnviroLoc backing technology with polyethylene fibers made from sugarcane technology to produce a new and completely biobased synthetic turf product.

“Environmental stewardship is one of our core values, which is reflected in our practices,” said George Neagle, SYNLawn’s vice president of sales and marketing.

According to industry manufacturers, it is nine times as efficient to derive ethanol from sugarcane as from corn, and four-and-a-half times as efficient compared to ethanol derived from sugar beets. Even more striking is the fact that the manufacturing of one pound of petroleum-based polyethylene releases 5.5 pounds of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere—whereas the plants used to create the same amount of sugarcane-based polyethylene can capture that same amount of the greenhouse gas during a typical 18 month growing season. And because of the short growing season, sugarcane is highly renewable.

“We are very excited about this amazing technology that makes it possible to produce polyethylene out of renewable resources such as sugarcane. As we see global consumer demand for biobased products expanding, we will continue to expand our green, sustainable product offerings. We have also taken great care to ensure that the food chain is not negatively affected by our industrial use of this resource,” said David Calhoun, SYNLawn product manager.