Colin Young (TenCate) 'Nonfill will prevail, both in terms of playability, lifespan and costs' |
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Favorable total cost for purchase and use
Within three to five years, the vast majority of new artificial turf fields will have no infill; this is the conviction of Colin Young of TenCate Grass. 'The longer lifespan, excellent playability and lower total cost of ownership (TCO) make the choice easy.'
As director of research and development at TenCate, Young leads the development of more sustainable artificial turf systems — sustainable in terms of long lifespan with preserved quality and a smaller footprint. This involves finding good alternatives to SBR infill while also improving recyclability, reducing CO2 emissions, and lowering maintenance costs.
Young acknowledges that some skepticism about nonfill fields still exists. The first pilots, several years ago, were not very successful. 'At the time, we were essentially using modified infill carpets with only increased density. Although they officially met the requirements, players were unhappy with them. They found the surface too hard and grip insufficient on wet fields.'
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'According to PSV players, the properties of this type of artificial turf are closest to those of natural grass.'
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new concept
That was the reason, Young explains, to start thinking about a completely new concept, one that players would appreciate. 'That is why in recent years we have invested a great deal of time and energy in developing an entirely new infill-free carpet. It had to be a carpet with properties that closely resemble the quality of natural grass, even at stadium level. We carefully studied how the properties of natural grass are created and what influence the root zone has. This led us to our product Pure PT. Among others, it is already in use on PSV's training fields.'
Player feedback helps with optimization. If even PSV players are satisfied with the new nonfill version, Young believes others will be convinced as well. 'The PSV players tell us that, of all the artificial turf variants they know, this one comes closest to natural grass. We are also convinced that this is the best quality artificial turf we have ever produced. We have succeeded in minimizing the differences with natural grass.'
 | | Colin Young: 'I firmly believe that, in time, the vast majority of fields will be nonfill.' |
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players
According to Young, this quality is also the reason why many American customers are enthusiastic about the new nonfill carpet. 'They choose it for the natural playing experience and appreciate the favorable properties, such as good grip and less strain on players' joints. Sustainability, on the other hand, is sometimes less important to them. But Americans often have plenty of resources and want the best quality for their players.'
Other countries are following suit, says Young: 'SV Werder Bremen was so enthusiastic after visiting PSV's training fields that the club decided to install our nonfill system on six of their own fields. This year, many more Pure PT fields will be added in France, Australia, England, Spain and Scandinavia. In the northern countries, this solves problems with organic infill freezing in winter. In countries like Spain and Australia, the hot, dry summers are an additional argument for Pure PT.'
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'The total installation weight of a Pure PT football field is 30 to 32 tons, compared to 200 tons for a traditional infill field.'
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price
Whether the properties of the nonfill system will also be decisive for the many amateur fields in the Netherlands depends on the financial approach, Young knows. Because tenders are usually based on the lowest price, installation costs can be a hurdle. Primarily, a field is demanded that lasts long and has a favorable price. 'It is important to consider that, while the nonfill system is slightly more expensive initially, it is actually more economical when considering total lifetime costs.'
The so-called total cost of ownership (TCO) is substantially lower than that of infill fields, he explains. 'Looking at the carpet itself: yes, it is more expensive. That's due to material costs. More fibers are used, about 4 kg per square meter, roughly three times as much as in an infill carpet. However, there is no infill needed — no sand and no performance infill. In our latest version of Pure PT, even a shockpad is no longer necessary. It can be added if desired, but even without it, the carpet meets all requirements for shock absorption and dimensional stability.'
material
Sustainability and economic attractiveness go hand in hand here, is his message. Material not needed for installation also doesn't need to be produced; that saves a lot of transport as well. 'The total installation weight of a Pure PT football field is 30 to 32 tons, compared to 200 tons for a traditional infill field. Thanks to everything you no longer need, the extra price ultimately drops to 5 to 10 percent.'
The savings after installation more than compensate for the slightly higher purchase price, says Young. 'Maintenance costs are only 25 to 30 percent of those for infill fields. You save €15,000 to €20,000 annually by not having to loosen and refill the infill regularly. After ten years, that equals the entire installation cost. We also guarantee that the fields last at least 30 percent longer.' They maintain their quality for a long time, including shock absorption, he says. 'This is also clearly demonstrated by an extensive external Lisport test we commissioned, of which we have just received the results. We will publish the details shortly. The test proves that even after long and very intensive use, our Pure PT carpet still meets all performance standards.'
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'Both proportionally and absolutely, there is much less wear, which also means fewer plastic particles enter the environment.'
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wear
Wear caused by friction with sand and performance infill is absent, Young explains. This also results in fewer plastic particles entering the environment. 'While we do use more plastic, there is no wear from infill. Both proportionally and absolutely, the wear is much lower. The absence of infill also makes the carpets easier to recycle.'
Pure PT is a nonfill carpet with a traditional backing. But Young announces the next step: 'A variant that is much easier to recycle is on the horizon. It will be made entirely of polyethylene. The challenge is to ensure that this carpet is just as strong and stable. The first pilot is scheduled to start at the end of this year, and from next year we aim to launch this so-called ONE DNA carpet on the market. At the end of its lifespan, these carpets become a high-grade raw material that has real value.'
weather conditions
Young knows that other companies are also busy innovating for a future without rubber infill. There are thus many options. 'There are various organic and sand infill solutions, but they generally have limitations, especially in specific situations. We are convinced that these limitations do not apply to truly infill-free carpets. They remain flexible and playable all year round, under all weather conditions.'
Nevertheless, an infill carpet may still be a good solution in some situations, even in the future, says Young. 'But I firmly believe that, in time, the vast majority of fields will be nonfill.'
This article was previously published on June 3, 2025, on the website of Fieldmanager.
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