Japan has introduced artificial soil for growing grass on rooftops

Tokyo - The Japanese group Suntory today presented a novelty in the form of artificial soil, which is much lighter and more porous compared to natural soil and can serve well for growing plants on rooftops. Thanks to it and the vegetation, the air in large cities could become fresher. This was reported by the AFP agency.
    Manufacturers claim that 450 grams of their new product called Pafcal can absorb the same amount of water as a kilogram of real soil. On rooftops, not only grass but also plants with larger leaves successfully grow in it, which effectively reduces the temperature inside buildings.
    A roof covered with artificial soil is up to ten degrees cooler than a bare roofing, claims the manufacturer, which has until now been primarily associated with the production of beer and spirits.
    Tokyo has 12 million residents, but the city has very few green areas. In the sweltering summer, air conditioning systems in most homes are working at full capacity. Newly constructed high-rise buildings have been required to include green areas for several years, but this is difficult to adhere to due to strict static requirements. Due to the high risk of earthquakes, static regulations in Japan significantly limit the load on roofs and walls.