Liberty Tire Recycling, a North American supplier of tire recycling services. is collaborating with the Center for Athletic Field Safety at the University of Tennessee on a sequence of research studies to evaluate the potential advantages and the role played by crumb rubber in ensuring a natural grass athletic surface.
The company is investing in a number of studies for a period of two years to determine quantitatively the benefits of crumb rubber infill as an add-on to natural grass. It will also determine how surface quality and safety will be improved using it.
According to the Sales and Marketing Vice President for Liberty Tire Recycling, Mike Wezel, crumb rubber infill offers a large number of advantages. It provides a safe, high-performing surface for the athlete. Surface play time is also increased especially in areas of the field that are more frequently used.
Studies conducted initially included a simulated foot traffic test to find the optimal particle size and depth of crumb rubber that would ensure superior field performance, a temperature and moisture test and an evaluation of the time up to which the turf season can be extended by using crumb rubber.
When crumb rubber infill is used in natural grass surfaces, shock absorption will be maximized and a safer and softer playing surface will be created for athletes. Minimal water is needed for surface maintenance, enabling the grass plant to be more stress-tolerant, for instance during high-trafficking and heat. The environment is also positively influenced by conservation of over three billion gallons of water, reduction in energy-consumption, elimination of the usage of fertilizers and pesticides and ensuring that over 140 million used tires do not reach the landfills.