TenCate's Pivot Performance Turf Gains Rapid Adoption Across North America
TenCate's Pivot Performance Turf is transforming synthetic playing surfaces across North America with its natural grass-like performance, environmental benefits, and industry-leading durability.
TenCate's Pivot Performance Turf is rapidly gaining adoption across North America less than a year after its official U.S. launch, with installations spanning 30 states and Canada. The synthetic turf system represents a significant advancement in playing surface technology, combining natural grass performance with environmental sustainability and extended durability.
Joe Fields, President and CEO of TenCate Americas, described Pivot as "the most significant advancement our industry has ever seen." He emphasized that "Pivot plays like natural grass, requires no performance infill, lasts longer than conventional turf and can be recycled. It's outperforming the competition, and it's earning trust fast."
The development process involved extensive research from TenCate's Center for Turf Innovation, where researchers gathered data from college and professional athletes wearing biosensors while training and competing on Pivot turf. This real-world feedback helped engineers fine-tune the surface to deliver the ideal balance of grip, give, stability and speed that athletes rely on for peak performance.
Brad Goewey, Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Centralia High School in Illinois, confirmed the turf's natural feel, stating "It almost feels like you're on Bermuda grass. When you walk on it, it feels similar, and then it plays similar. We're very pleased with the way it's compared to our grass field."
Beyond performance advantages, Pivot sets new standards for environmental sustainability and durability. The system lasts up to 50% longer than conventional turf systems and can be recycled at the end of its lifespan, backed by an industry-first 12-year warranty. It requires no performance infill, meaning fewer materials and less energy for installation, and substantially reduces plastic shedding because there's no abrasive infill to wear down fibers.
The turf meets rigorous safety standards with zero detectable PAHs or lead, complying with California Prop 65 requirements and FIFA, NCAA and NFL testing criteria. Unlike natural grass, Pivot requires no mowing, watering, fertilizing or pesticide applications, significantly cutting emissions, reducing pollution and conserving water resources.
Dr. Colin Young, Global Director of Research and Development at TenCate, who has studied playing surfaces for more than 20 years, stated "Pivot is more than a new product — it's the next generation of synthetic turf. This is the first system that hits all the marks in terms of playability, sustainability and durability."
Pivot features a dense, grass-like surface with 200% more individual fibers than competitive systems, supported by a proprietary blend of TenCate's proven Extended Play (XP) yarns and newly developed fiber technology. The system is typically installed with Pivot Cool, TenCate's non-toxic, mineral-based cooling agent that helps dissipate heat and reduce surface temperatures during warm weather.
Demand continues to grow across North America, with a U.S. map on the Playing for Keeps website showing numerous locations that have chosen Pivot for their fields. Fields noted that "Demand for Pivot has taken off because game-changing products like this don't come along very often. The incredible response from programs across the country confirms what we believed all along: Pivot is setting a new standard for synthetic turf." Additional information about Pivot and TenCate's commitment to performance and sustainability is available on the Pivot webpage.