BOLAS FELIZES project experimental development

Following the first months of work, the BOLAS FELIZES project consolidated the foundations of its experimental pathway. Used balls were collected from several tennis and padel clubs across different regions of mainland Portugal, enabling the creation of a representative sample set for characterisation trials.

Significant variations were observed in the colour of the rubber (shades of brown, grey and black) and in the outer coating of the balls, including different gradations of the original Optic Yellow, depending on wear and the presence of dirt. Balls with coloured markings (red, orange, green), used in learning contexts, were also identified, although in smaller quantities compared to standard balls.

Material analysis highlighted the complexity associated with separating the ball components (elastomeric structure and outer coating), both from a technical standpoint and in terms of its impact on the resulting material properties. In this context, trials began to consider the use of the material without prior separation of its components.

From this process, a new raw material was obtained, which was named ReGrind, defined as a circular raw material resulting from the controlled dimensional reduction of materials selected for valorisation.

Subsequently, explorations of incorporating ReGrind into different solutions were initiated, with the aim of assessing its behaviour, transformation potential and suitability for various applications. These initial trials enabled testing of approaches in terms of texture, colour and structure, paving the way for the development of material solutions based on this waste stream.

This phase represents a key moment of experimental learning, where direct observation of materials and trial results began to guide the project’s technical decisions.