Product design plays an important role in determining how materials can be managed at the end of a product’s service life. Across many industries, including packaging and artificial grass, increasing attention is being given to material composition and how it influences processing, recycling and material recovery.
What Is the Difference?
Mono-material structures
A mono-material structure consists primarily of a single material type. In polymer-based products, this means that the product is manufactured using one polymer rather than a combination of different polymers.
ONE-DNA™ artificial grass is manufactured using polyethylene (PE) as its primary polymer, resulting in a more homogeneous material composition.
Multi-material structures
A multi-material structure combines different materials to achieve specific performance characteristics. In artificial grass systems, this may include combinations of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), latex, polyurethane (PU) or other materials used within the fibres, backing or coating layers.
While these materials can contribute to product performance, their presence may increase the complexity of end-of-life processing.
- Material Composition and End-of-Life Processing
- The composition of a product can influence how it is handled after use.
Mono-material design
Using a single polymer type creates a more consistent material stream. Where suitable collection and recycling systems are available, this may simplify sorting and processing compared with products that contain multiple polymer types.
Multi-material design
Products containing multiple materials may require additional separation and processing steps before recycling can take place. The suitability of the recovered material depends on the materials present, the recycling technology used and the requirements of the intended end application.
- Considerations for Material Recovery
- Material recovery processes vary depending on product composition.
Potential characteristics of mono-material designs include:
- More consistent material composition.
- Reduced material complexity.
- Simplified identification of polymer type.
- Compatibility with recycling processes designed for that specific material.
Potential characteristics of multi-material designs include:
- Additional sorting or separation requirements.
- More complex processing routes.
- Recovered materials that may be suitable for different applications than the original product.
Actual recovery outcomes depend on collection systems, recycling infrastructure, processing technologies and local market conditions.
Why material selection matters
As product manufacturers increasingly consider end-of-life management during the design stage, material selection has become an important aspect of product development. Understanding the differences between mono-material and multi-material structures can help designers, specifiers and buyers evaluate how material composition may influence future processing options.
The ONE-DNA™ concept is based on a polyethylene-focused design approach that prioritises material consistency throughout the product structure. This approach is intended to support material recovery pathways where appropriate collection and recycling systems are available.
Looking ahead
In the packaging sector, the use of mono-materials is increasing as part of a wider focus on recyclability. Further reading from the packaging sector:
- https://knaufappliances.com/mono-material-packaging
- https://www.smithers.com/resources/2020/aug/easy-to-recycle-mono-material-film-packs-to-grow
- https://packagingeurope.com/comment/a-closer-look-at-the-potential-of-the-mono-material-packaging-market/8908.article
- https://www.ptonline.com/blog/post/monomaterial-trend-in-packaging-and-beyond-will-only-thrive
Updated October 2026: a general statement about waste reduction and CO2 emissions has been removed because it was not supported by specific evidence.
Update, October 2026: this article reflects the ONE-DNA™ range at the time of publication, based on polyethylene (PE). ONE-DNA™ now also includes a 100% PO route; see Technology for the current material routes.
Related: Technology · Sustainability
