Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are almost everywhere, from water, air, food, soil, and a plethora of products and surfaces; but no longer in TenCate’s synthetic turf.
The US-based manufacturer of synthetic grass for sports and landscapes applications has today launched a PFAS-free, recyclable, synthetic turf engineered to replicate the performance and feel of natural grass for athletes.
Previous versions of its artificial turf contained minuscule levels of non-soluble PFAS, according to third-party testing. During a review of TenCate’s manufacturing process, engineers discovered a manufacturing processing aid used in fibre extrusion that contained trace levels of non-soluble PFAS. The processing aid was replaced with a PFAS-free one, thereby eliminating these ‘forever chemicals’ from the synthetic turf.
Called Pivot, the artificial turf requires no infill like rubber pellets. That means there is less abrasion and shredding of the turf, which would contribute to microplastic pollution. TenCate said the material has no detectable PFAS, PAHs, or lead, adding that it is compliant with Proposition 65 requirements in California and meets testing criteria of the FIFA, NFL, and NCAA. It also said the artificial turf is fully recyclable, without offering more details.
“Pivot opens an exciting new era of sports fields that are sustainable, durable, cost-effective and playable like no others,” said Dr. Colin Young, global director research and development at TenCate, who has been studying playing surfaces and ways to improve them for more than 20 years.
TenCate claims that Pivot has a 50% longer lifespan than other synthetic turf and carries an industry-first 12-year warranty. It is manufactured with 40% traditional sports yarns and 60% newly developed yarns.
As synthetic turfs are known to reach high temperatures in warm climates, Pivot can be paired with a cooling additive called GeoCool that helps dissipate heat and reduce surface temperatures. TenCate says the additive is made from a renewable inorganic mineral that’s 100% recyclable and non-toxic.