In the Netherlands, advanced materials company TenCate has developed synthetic turf with several biobased components and zero per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Instead of the usual rubber infills, TenCate’s new turf uses biodegradable materials such as cork and walnut.
The lack of PFAS is also significant, given links between the so-called “forever chemicals” and human health impacts. “It’s important to note that third-party testing of previous versions of our artificial turf detected only minuscule levels of non-soluble PFAS,” said Joe Fields, president and CEO of TenCate Americas. “These were far lower than the levels that have been found in common consumer products like dental floss and prescription medications, and significantly less than that allowed by the Food and Drug Administration in packaging for food. We still took action, however, because we’re dedicated to giving our customers complete peace of mind.”