Research moves beyond the lab. Systems are tested in real playing environments across different sports, climates and levels of play, connecting controlled testing with how surfaces perform in practice.
Research and development
Understanding the Athlete. Improving the Surface.
Performance starts with understanding what happens when an athlete meets the surface. TenCate combines sports science, biomechanics, engineering and material knowledge to study that interaction through lab testing, athlete testing and real world validation. Research does not stop with a test result. Data, athlete feedback and experience from manufacturing, installation and field use feed back into development, creating a continuous process of testing, learning and refinement.
Center for Turf Innovation (CTI)
At the heart of this work is the Center for Turf Innovation, a 16,000 square foot research facility where engineers, sports scientists and product specialists study, develop and validate surface systems.
CTI combines biomechanics, material science, data analysis and structured athlete testing to understand how players interact with a surface as they accelerate, decelerate, turn and change direction.
In house manufacturing and testing allow ideas to move quickly from research to prototype and back again. What is learned in the lab is tested in practice, with results feeding directly into the next stage of development.
Research moves beyond the lab. Systems are tested in real playing environments across different sports, climates and levels of play, connecting controlled testing with how surfaces perform in practice.
Laboratory testing, athlete testing and field data provide different parts of the same picture. Together, they help build a deeper understanding of performance under repeated use and changing conditions.
Thousands of measurements from athlete testing, laboratory analysis and field research create a growing body of data. That evidence helps TenCate compare, question and refine how surfaces perform in real use.
The goal is not simply to develop new products. It is to understand how surfaces influence performance, usability and long-term durability — and to shape the future of turf through measurable improvement and environmental responsibility. Insights from laboratory research and on-field testing directly inform the next generation of turf systems — creating surfaces that perform better, remain available longer and continue to evolve through data, testing and real-world experience.
Continuous Development
Development is an ongoing process. Data, athlete feedback and experience from the field continuously inform how materials, components and systems are adjusted and refined.
Testing includes:
- Player surface interaction
- Traction and rotational behavior
- Shock absorption
- Surface consistency
- Ball surface interaction
- Durability and wear
- Performance under different climate conditions
Lisport XL wear testing, biomechanical analysis, athlete feedback and field data are used to evaluate how systems perform and how that performance develops over time.
“We don’t guess. We measure, test, and validate every detail to ensure real-world performance.”
Colin Young- R&D Director, Centre for Turf Innovation