Towards Compostable Hybrid Reinforcement | FlexGrass | Turf Tech Summit 2026

Hybrid reinforcement works, but what happens to the plastic when a pitch reaches the end of its life? Fabio Travaini, CEO and Co-founder of FlexGrass, explains how the company is keeping the performance of hybrid systems while changing the material inside them. Fabio starts with how FlexGrass builds complete pitches, from excavation, drainage and heating to the root zone, turf and reinforcement, with one team taking responsibility for the whole result. He introduces their two reinforcement systems, the horizontal Horizon carpet system and the vertical Vertex stitching system, and shares the story of five years of research into a new yarn: BioGrass Yarn, which matches the mechanical strength of conventional polymer yarn but is industrially compostable, with TÜV Austria certification. He is clear about what that means and what it doesn't: the yarn is not bio-based, but can be processed together with the natural grass at the end of the pitch's life. He also presents a new generation of the Vertex stitching machine, a cooler and better-draining artificial turf, and what is coming in 2027. CHAPTERS 0:00 Introduction – Fabio Travaini, FlexGrass 0:31 More than a fibre supplier: building complete pitches 2:06 FlexGrass in numbers 3:30 Lessons from every club 4:30 How we build a pitch 6:30 Two reinforcement systems: horizontal and vertical 7:43 The system stays, the material changes 8:52 Climate change and the rise of carpet systems 10:25 An industrially compostable reinforcement 11:20 Five years of research and testing 13:01 The future of Horizon 14:05 The new generation of Vertex 15:57 Bio-based, biodegradable or compostable? 17:30 A cooler, better-draining artificial turf 19:12 Looking ahead to 2027 20:02 A tribute to the team and clients SPEAKER Fabio Travaini – CEO & Co-Founder, FlexGrass LINKS FlexGrass: https://www.flexgrass.ch/ ABOUT TURF TECH SUMMIT Turf Tech Summit brings together grounds managers, clubs, contractors and suppliers from across the world to share the latest knowledge and innovation in sports turf. Over two days, speakers from elite clubs, research and industry presented on the main stage and in the Focus Lounge, alongside indoor and outdoor exhibitions. This presentation was recorded at Turf Tech Summit 2026 at the Amex Stadium, home of Brighton & Hove Albion. Watch all presentations:    • Turf Tech Summit 2026 – All Presentations   More information: https://turftechsummit.com/ Follow Turf Tech Summit: LinkedIn:   / turftechsummit   Instagram:   / turftechsummit   Facebook:   / 1glemjg36p   The next edition will be announced soon. Subscribe to stay updated and to catch every new presentation. Watch also: 37 Years of Stitched Hybrid Grass – GrassMax:    • 37 Years of Stitched Hybrid Grass: Lessons...   #TurfTechSummit #HybridGrass #Groundsman