A Groundbreaking Pivot: TenCate Launches First Artificial Turf that Truly Replicates Grass Field

• Pivot^® Performance Turf by TenCate was biomechanically engineered to replicate the performance and feel of natural grass for athletes.
• Pivot requires no performance infill so it uses less raw materials to install and is much easier to recycle.
• Pivot contains no detectable PFAS.
• Pivot features 16 times as many individual fibers as competitive turf systems and has a 50% longer lifespan than other synthetic turf.
• Developed by TenCate's Center for Turf Innovation, Pivot was thoroughly tested by college and professional athletes wearing biosensors to capture movement and surface interactions — data that demonstrated Pivot is the closest surface to high-quality natural grass.

DAYTON, Tenn., Feb. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- TenCate, the world's leading manufacturer, distributor and installer of synthetic turf for sports and outdoor living applications, today announced the official launch of the world's first turf that requires no performance infill, is able to be recycled and is biomechanically engineered to replicate the feel and playability of grass sports fields.

Named Pivot^® Performance Turf, the revolutionary new turf was rigorously tested by college and professional athletes wearing biosensors to record movement and surface interactions. The biometric feedback found that Pivot closely mirrors the qualities of natural grass, delivering the feedback, support, give and grip that athletes need to maximize their performance. 

"Pivot is the world's first synthetic turf that plays like grass, requires no performance infill and is able to be recycled, an unbeatable combination that is truly a gamechanger," said Joe Fields, President and Chief Executive Officer of TenCate Americas. "It's a transformative breakthrough that outperforms and outlasts other turfs, benefiting players and the planet for years to come."

Pivot was developed by TenCate's Center for Turf Innovation (CTI) after years of research. Using advanced technology and continuous testing, CTI unlocked the ideal combination of traditional, durable sports fibers and new fibers that look and feel more like natural grass. The result: an innovative new artificial grass that is strong and securely rooted, providing optimal traction and a stable, safe surface. Athletes can play on it 24/7/365 in all kinds of weather.

"Everyone seems to really like it — the playability of it, the cushioning of it," said Eric George, Assistant Vice President and Deputy Athletic Director for Rice University. "I think one of the really cool aspects is that you don't have the rubber pellets. So our guys aren't getting the turf burns like what they used to get, which actually comes from the pellets more so than the turf itself. 

"From players to coaches, everyone involved has really loved it," he added.

Pivot is not just groundbreaking for athletes, it's a leap forward for the environment as well. The revolutionary new turf:

• Requires no performance infill, a first for turf systems. That means less materials and energy are needed to transport and install Pivot, resulting in lower carbon emissions.
• Eliminates nearly 100% of plastic shedding because there's no conventional infill, which causes abrasion and shedding of the turf.
• Lasts longer than other turf systems and can be recycled at the end of its lifespan.
• Has no detectable PFAS, PAHs or lead. It is compliant with Proposition 65 requirements in California and meets testing criteria of the FIFA, NFL and NCAA.
• Does not need to be watered, mowed or cared for like grass, conserving water, cutting emissions from lawnmowers and eliminating the use of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers.

"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.

Pivot is manufactured to outperform all other types of artificial grass. It features three times more total fiber than competitive turf systems, and 16 times as many individual fibers. That means millions of state-of-the-art fibers support every quick sprint, long leap, fast cut and precision turn.

Pivot is also built to outlast all other turf systems, creating a sports field that delivers high quality, high performance and a high return on investment. It features flexible yarns to dissipate impact load and resists wear even where play is concentrated. Pivot has a 50% longer lifespan than other synthetic turf and carries an industry-first 12-year warranty.

"We've been using this for about 14 months now, and all of our outdoor sports teams are really appreciating the way it holds up under their feet," said Tucker Barnard, Athletic Director and Head Football Coach for Shiloh Christian School in Springdale, Ark.

In warmer climates, using GeoCool™, a cooling additive, with Pivot can help dissipate heat and reduce surface temperatures. GeoCool is made from a renewable inorganic mineral that's 100% recyclable and non-toxic.

Pivot is manufactured with 40% traditional sports yarns (TenCate's world-renowned XP yarns) and 60% newly developed yarns. The innovative turf comes in three different face weights and over 10 colors to accommodate a variety of sports applications.

"Every now and then, something comes along that revolutionizes a technology, and for synthetic turf, that moment is now," Dr. Young said. "Pivot looks, feels and plays like grass from the season opener to the championship final — game after game, season after season, year after year."

To learn more about Pivot and TenCate's commitment to quality and sustainability, visit https://playingforkeeps.info/pivot-turf/?utm_source=PressRelease&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=JanAprPivot&utm_content=A1 

About TenCate
TenCate is the world's leading manufacturer, distributor and installer of synthetic turf solutions for sports and landscape applications. TenCate Americas' headquarters are in Dalton, Ga. With manufacturing facilities in the United States, Netherlands, United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, the company serves customers in more than 40 countries with a suite of well-known brands. The company is fully vertically integrated, which enables it to control the full chain from R&D through manufacturing, installation, maintenance and now, recycling. For more information, please visit www.tencategrass.com.

Media Contact
Erica Rumpke
Director of Marketing, TenCate
513-484-6795
[email protected] 

SOURCE TenCate