World's first climate-neutral hockey artificial turf at the Hamburger Polo Club e.V.

Setting the Course for the Future

The Hamburger Polo Club e.V. has a long and illustrious history. Founded in 1898, it was Germany's first polo club, initially being a gathering of Hanseatic and Anglophile gentlemen who had heard of the sport, originally from Central Asia, while in England and became enthusiastic about polo. Today, the club, located in Klein Flottbek, features not only polo but also hockey and tennis departments. The spotlight has long been on the first women's hockey team, which currently competes in the 2nd Bundesliga North, both in the hall and on the field. The men's team is currently in the 1st Bundesliga. For hockey players, there are two artificial turf pitches available, complemented by a dedicated indoor hockey hall during winter.

In 2023, the Poligras Paris GT zero, the world's first CO2-neutral artificial hockey turf, was installed on one of these fields. This turf was specifically developed for this year's Summer Games in Paris, where the world's best teams will compete. Poligras Paris GT zero is 100% climate-neutral without compromising game performance.

This is made possible through a combination of measures: the production process, the use of bio-based plastics from sustainable agriculture, and the incorporation of innovative designs. For instance, the turf fibers are made from I’m Green™ polyethylene, a bio-based plastic produced from by-products of sugarcane processing that would otherwise go unused. These measures save approximately 73 tons of CO2 compared to conventional artificial turf.

Another crucial aspect of Poligras Paris GT zero's sustainability is Polytan's continuously improved product design, which reduces water consumption. For example, turf at the Tokyo Games required 39% less water than the turf used in Rio four years earlier. Polytan Paris GT zero continues this trend with the introduction of Turf Glide, a new and patented technology that reduces surface friction, further lowering the water requirement while minimizing friction resistance and thus reducing injury risk. Poligras Paris GT zero is currently the only turf approved for the water-based hockey category and the FIH Innovation category 'Non-Irrigated'.

By installing Poligras Paris GT zero, the Hamburger Polo Club e.V. has consciously opted for a sustainable future in hockey. The main playing field can be divided into two smaller youth fields, providing a space for Bundesliga professionals and youth teams alike. Predictably, the turf's color reflects their ambitions—it is presented in 'Paris blue.' A visual highlight is the club logo embedded in the turf. Although the field represents the future of hockey, the club honors its heritage with the inscription: Hamburger Polo Club.