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The Carbon Sequestration Benefits of BrockFILL®

An Environmental Life Cycle and Climate Impact Analysis

by Tamara J Jones

Executive Summary

Artificial turf fields have traditionally faced scrutiny for their environmental footprint, particularly due to the petroleum-based infills commonly used in their construction. BrockFILL®, a proprietary wood-based infill developed by Brock USA, represents a departure from this model by integrating biogenic carbon sequestration directly into the product’s life cycle.

This report quantifies the carbon sequestration benefits of BrockFILL® through a material-specific biomass analysis, molecular conversion modeling, and equivalent emissions avoidance calculations aligned with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) greenhouse gas equivalency factors. The analysis demonstrates that a single BrockFILL® field sequesters the equivalent of 66 metric tons of CO₂ — an impact on par with removing 14 passenger vehicles from U.S. roads for an entire year.

1. Introduction

1.1 Context and Relevance

Global greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations have reached unprecedented levels in the modern atmospheric record, largely driven by anthropogenic emissions from fossil fuel combustion and deforestation. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emphasizes that both emission reductions and carbon removal are essential to limiting warming to 1.5°C.

1.2 BrockFILL® as a Carbon-Bearing Product

Unlike synthetic polymer infills, BrockFILL® is derived from sustainably harvested wood. This means it carries biogenic carbon, captured from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, and stored in the lignocellulosic structure of the wood fibers. The stability and retention of this carbon through the product’s service life provides measurable climate mitigation benefits.

2. Mechanism of Carbon Sequestration in BrockFILL®

2.1 Photosynthetic Carbon Capture

During growth, trees absorb atmospheric CO₂ through stomatal pores and convert it into glucose via the Calvin cycle. These glucose molecules polymerize into cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin — the primary structural components of wood — which are approximately 50% carbon by dry weight.

2.2 Biomass Carbon Allocation

Research conducted by the USDA Forest Service and peer-reviewed forestry studies (Johnsen et al., 2004; Skog, 2008) confirms that the carbon fraction of the tree species used for BrockFILL® remains consistent at ~50% across mature growth stages.

3. Quantification of Carbon Stored in an Average Field

3.1 Mass Balance Approach

• Average BrockFILL® per field: 80,000 lb (36,287 kg)

• Carbon content: 50% biomass = 40,000 lb (18,144 kg) carbon

3.2 Molecular Conversion to CO₂ Equivalents

Carbon dioxide has a molecular weight of 44.009 g/mol, while elemental carbon is 12.011 g/mol. The ratio of these molecular weights determines the CO₂-equivalent mass for each unit of carbon:

CO₂ Mass=Carbon Mass×12.01144.009​≈Carbon Mass×3.664

Applying the ratio:

40,000 lb C×3.664=146,583 lb CO₂ (≈66.49 metric tons CO₂)

4. Life Cycle and End-of-Life Considerations

4.1 Service Life Carbon Retention

During its operational life, BrockFILL® physically retains the biogenic carbon captured during tree growth, effectively delaying the return of this carbon to the atmosphere.

4.2 End-of-Life Scenarios

• Composting: Under aerobic composting conditions, much of the carbon transitions to stable soil organic carbon (SOC), which can remain in soils for decades to centuries, depending on soil type and climate.

• Landfill Disposal: Landfilled wood-based products decompose anaerobically at significantly reduced rates, with methane capture systems in modern landfills further mitigating emissions.

The optimal pathway for BrockFILL® disposal is controlled composting with targeted soil amendment, ensuring the carbon remains sequestered in the terrestrial carbon pool.

5. Climate Impact Equivalencies

Based on U.S. EPA equivalency factors, 66 metric tons CO₂e is equivalent to:

• 14 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles removed from the road for one year

• 165,000 miles driven by an average car

• 22.6 tons of municipal waste diverted from landfill via recycling

• The carbon sequestered by 78 acres of U.S. forest in one year

These equivalencies provide a tangible frame of reference for stakeholders evaluating the environmental return on investment for installing BrockFILL®.

6. Integration into Brock USA’s C2Zero Program

While BrockFILL® sequesters significant quantities of carbon, Brock USA recognizes that its manufacturing and logistics chain generates Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions. The company’s C2Zero program accounts for:

• Direct emissions from manufacturing (Scope 1)

• Purchased electricity for operations (Scope 2)

• Upstream and downstream transportation emissions (Scope 3)

Through verified carbon offsets and operational efficiency measures, Brock USA is working toward net-zero carbon status.

7. Conclusion

BrockFILL® exemplifies how product innovation can address both performance and planetary health. By embedding carbon sequestration directly into its material composition and supporting an end-of-life pathway that retains stored carbon, BrockFILL® provides measurable, verifiable climate benefits.

The result is a product that not only supports athletic performance and safety but also contributes meaningfully to global climate mitigation targets — setting a precedent for sustainable design in the artificial turf industry.

References:

1. Johnsen, K.H., Teskey, B., Samuelson, L., Butnor, J., Sampson, D., Sanchez, F., Maier, C., McKeand, S. (2004). Carbon Sequestration in Loblolly Pine Plantations. USDA Forest Service.

2. Skog, K.E. (2008). Sequestration of Carbon in Harvested Wood Products for the United States. Forest Products Journal, 58(6), 56-72.

3. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Greenhouse Gas Emissions from a Typical Passenger Vehicle.