New football fields in Detmold, Diestelbruch and Heiligenkirchen in Germany are to be equipped with crumb rubber infill.
Crumb Rubber the Answer for DFB
This has raised some discussion following a recent media article in the Netherlands suggested that the infill may not be safe. However, the DFB (German Football Association) recommends using high-quality material, which is more expensive, but does not involve any health risks. The town of Detmold maintains artificial lawns in Jerxen-Orbke, Heidenoldendorf, Pivitsheide VL, Diestelbruch and Heiligenkirchen, which are filled with quartz sand and rubber, and it does not expect that there will be any health risks.
“All RAL quality-tested and DIN-tested rubber granules were used for all artificial lawns,” stated a spokesman. According to the manufacturers, the RAL quality is the highest requirement for recycled granulates from tyres throughout Europe.