Braskem's I'm green Polyethylene (PE) bioplastic has been used in ProdTek's new Turf Cushion line of turf underlay products, enhancing its sustainability. ProdTek's Turf Cushion is installed under artificial turf for applications such as play grounds, play areas, sports fields, roof tops, and indoor play areas where shock attenuation is critical for users.

Braskem is the largest thermoplastics polyolefins producer in the Americas and leading producer of biopolymers in the world. ProdTek is a product development and manufacturing company serving the artificial turf, flooring and textile industries with innovative solutions.

The Turf Cushion underlay is composed of recycled polyethylene and Eco Raw, which utilises Braskem's I'm Green Polyethylene bioplastic, a sustainably-produced sugar cane based polyethylene, and qualifies for High Recycled Content (HRC) status.

In utilising Braskem's I'm green Polyethylene as a renewable alternative to petroleumbased polyethylene, ProdTek's Turf Cushion can make a significant contribution to reducing the level of greenhouse gas emissions in the product value creation chain.

Most injuries to children on playgrounds occur from falls on hard or abrasive surfaces. ProdTek's new Turf Cushion underlay achieves the highest safety performance in the industry as measured by GMAX and Head Injury Criteria (HIC) readings using only one 2 inch Turf Cushion Pad.

John Karr, president at ProdTek, stated, "We feel very good about our new Turf Cushion Pad. Not only is it carbon neutral and 100 per cent recyclable, it provides enhanced safety for children in playground environments and is economically advantageous for turf installation companies. We feel like we have a product that creates value for everyone and serves society as well."

ProdTek's new Turf Cushion underlayment offers customers a range of product lifecycle benefits including installation crews reporting up to a 25 per cent reduction in installation time. At the end of its life, Turf Cushion is also 100 per cent recyclable and can be reclaimed and turned into pellets for making a variety of products, including toys and containers.

José Augusto Viveiro, sales leader Americas for Braskem's Renewable Chemicals, commented, "Braskem is proud to be partnering with ProdTek to enhance the sustainability of Turf Cushion with our I'm green Polyethylene biopolymer. Our partnership reflects our shared vision for innovation in sustainable materials to drive better products for consumers and the planet. Additionally, ProdTek's USDA BioPreferred status is a further testament to their commitment to environmental stewardship and increasing the use of renewable agricultural resources."

Cultivation of sugarcane utilised in the production of I'm green Polyethylene captures carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, which means Braskem's bioplastic has a negative carbon footprint. From a cradle-to-gate life-cycle perspective, every 1kg of I'm green Polyethylene used in the production process equates to 3.09 kg of CO2 captured from the atmosphere. I'm greenTM Polyethylene is part of Braskem's broader commitment to a more circular economy as well as more sustainable solutions for society as a whole.

Kate Lewis, senior programme analyst at US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) BioPreferred Programme said, "The BioPreferred Programme is dedicated to supporting rural communities and helping promote a thriving bioeconomy. Partners like Braskem that consistently innovate and find ways to incorporate renewable biobased materials – like sugarcane – into their products are critical. ProdTek's Turf Cushion product was certified by the programme because is formulated with Braskem's biobased content. That is quite an achievement. The benefits of this product not only help all the children who will be on sports fields and playgrounds, but rural communities as well."

Braskem and ProdTek are members of USDA's BioPreferred Programme, which works to increase the development, use, and purchase of biobased products through a Federal procurement programme and a voluntary certification and labeling programme. From the farm gate through the manufacturing process, the growing market for biobased products increases the use of agricultural resources and creates jobs and economic growth throughout rural America. (SV)