Amsterdam CitySports project

Success story:
Artificial grass pitches get dangerously hot; but circular sub-structures can cool them naturally.

During summer, traditional artificial grass pitches reach extreme temperatures compared to natural grass, creating uncomfortable playing conditions for athletes and accelerating the urban heat island effect in cities worldwide.

To tackle this, Project CitySports (a pilot initiative from the TKI Water & Maritime program) developed a naturally cooled artificial grass pitch that operates without energy or complex water-spraying systems. As a leader in high-quality recycled polypropylene compounds in the Netherlands, Veolia Polymers powers this innovation by supplying tailored, high-performance rPP to Europe’s leading manufacturers of stormwater management systems.

Installed directly beneath the pitch, these fully circular rPP sub-structures collect and store rainwater to naturally cool the surface while meeting the highest standards for strength, rigidity, and longevity. This solution is already keeping athletes cool on fields across Amsterdam, London, and Kobe.

Beyond urban cooling, this collaborative approach drives long-term value through ecodesign, multi-year partner commitments, social value creation across the waste chain, and significant CO2 reductions supporting the transition toward net zero.