R&D Is the Engine
At TenCate, Research & Development drives the business. From material selection to full– system performance, every product is built through rigorous research, not assumptions.
Center for Turf Innovation (CTI)
CTI is the beating heart of TenCate innovation – a facility unlike any other in the turf industry. This is where biomechanics, material science, and real athlete feedback come together, not in theory, but in practice. From high-speed motion capture to lab simulations and field testing, every innovation is pushed, tested, and validated under real-world conditions. CTI is where systems like Pivot and ONE-DNA™ are born, engineered to deliver top performance with lower impact.
What sets it apart:
- 16.145 ft² indoor R&D center
- Equipped with biomechanics labs, sensor technology, and high-speed video
- Portable units for on-site validation anywhere in the world
- Works hand-in-hand with elite athletes, clubs, and academic partners
The perfect example is the development of the 4th generation of turf:
Technology Readiness Levels (TRL)
Each innovation follows the full Technology Readiness Level (TRL) process, from early lab research to real-world validation. New systems are not only engineered, but tested at each stage: through simulations, player data, and live feedback on the field. Only when a concept has proven its value under real conditions does it reach full deployment. This structured approach ensures every product is more than an idea — it’s a verified solution, ready to perform.
Portable FieldLab
Our testing equipment is specially designed to easily fit into a suitcase. Allowing us to test our artificial turf systems at any location in the world. We have been working with (American) football and baseball players in the US, for example, to evaluate current surfaces and develop new synthetic turf products.
Validation
No product is released without proof – under pressure, in play, and with people. TenCate works directly with players, coaches, and technical crews to fine-tune systems before full launch.
How validation works:
- Real-life play environments (e.g. football, hockey, lacrosse)
- Athlete feedback on traction, acceleration, joint load
- Repetition across weather types, usage intensities, climates
- Measurable reduction in fatigue or injury risk
From Lab to Legacy: Proven Systems
Systems like Pivot® and ONE-DNA are all outcomes of this process. They were not created overnight, but developed through relentless testing and feedback.
Example Metrics:
- 50+ development cycles before Pivot® launch
- Validated by biomechanics, athlete feedback, and wear testing
- Certified durability and recyclability metrics
- In use by elite clubs, communities, and federations worldwide
Head of R&D and CTI Colin Young
The R&D team is led by Colin Young, Global Director of Research & Development at TenCate. Colin is heavily involved in the development and improvement of the synthetic turf industry at large and takes a keen interest in improving synthetic turf for the benefit of its users and the environment. He is Chair of the EMEA Synthetic Turf Council (ESTC) and of the Non-filled Working Group at the FIFA Technical Advisory Group.
Colin Young: “We believe that we should never compromise on welfare, safety of players, performance, or environmental credentials.”
That is why any new ideas we come up with, any new turf system or product we develop and bring to market has to be an improvement of what is currently out there
Colin Young
Group R&D Director
Joining TenCate Grass in 2018, Colin Young brought a wealth of experience in synthetic turf systems and biomechanics. “Leading the Center for Turf Innovation allows me to bring together technology, player experience and sustainability. Nothing beats a nod of approval from a player after trying out one of our new products.”