Recyclable artificial turf and HDPE backing layer for recyclable artificial turf

The backing layer according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the high density polyethylene has a medium or medium-broad molecular weight distribution.

The backing layer according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the high density polyethylene has a melting point of at least 125 degrees Celsius, preferably at least 130 degrees Celsius.

The backing layer according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the filaments are tapes.

The backing layer according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the filaments have a linear density between 100 and 2500 dtex, preferably between 200 and 1700 dtex, optionally in the range from 600 dtex to 1200 dtex.

The backing layer according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the filaments have at least a tenacity of 20 cN/Tex, preferably wherein the filaments have at least a tenacity of 25 cN/Tex.

The backing layer according to any of the preceding claims having a fabric weight between 80 and 400 g/m2, preferably between 100 and 300 g/m2

The backing layer according to any of the preceding claims wherein the individual filaments have a strain at break between 10 and 40%, preferably between 20 and 35%.

The backing layer according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the filaments may further comprise one or more additives preferably selected from the group comprising antioxidants, UV stabilizers, pigments, processing aids, acid scavengers, lubricants, antistatic agents, fillers, nucleating agents, and clarifying agents.

The backing layer according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the backing layer has been heat-stabilized.

The backing layer according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the filaments have one or more elongate ribs of grooves along their longitudinal direction.

A method of manufacturing a high density polyethylene backing layer, the method comprising:

• 1 providing a plurality of highly-oriented, high density polyethylene filaments having a density of at least 945 kg/m3 and a melt flow index of maximum 2 g/10 min.
• weaving the backing layer, wherein the high density polyethylene filaments are used both as warp threads and as weft threads.

An artificial turf substrate consisting essentially of polyethylene material, the artificial turf substrate comprising a backing layer comprising backing filaments and pile fibres upstanding from the backing layer, wherein the backing filaments comprise polyethylene having a first density and the pile fibres comprise polyethylene having a second density, wherein the ratio between the first and second density is at least 1.01.

An artificial turf substrate consisting essentially of polyethylene material, the artificial turf substrate comprising a backing layer comprising backing filaments and pile fibres upstanding from the backing layer, wherein the backing filaments comprise polyethylene having a first melting temperature and the pile fibres comprise polyethylene having a second melting temperature, and the first melting temperature is at least 2 degrees higher, preferably at least 3 degrees higher than the second melting temperature.

A method of manufacturing a high density polyethylene filament for a backing layer of an artificial turf substrate, the method comprising

• providing a high density polyethylene composition having a density of at least 945 kg/m3 and a melt flow index between 1.5 and 2 g/10 min to an extruder;
• forming filaments;
• drawing the filaments in a machine direction to obtain a tape having a linear density between 100 and 2500 dTex.