Hybrid Turf System - XTRAGRASS ?

What is XtraGrass:

XtraGrass? is a natural grass turf reinforced with artificial fibres developed by Greenfields BV and their Parent Company TenCate, world leaders in Synthetic turf systems.

Designed to give a winning formula of great natural grass playability and a surface that is much more resistant to wear. Developed and refined over the last 10 years, XtraGrass? is a unique and patented turf reinforcement system which provides the flexibility to adapt to the unique differences that exist at every location. It is the perfect solution for clubs that find it difficult to maintain a natural grass pitch but do not want, or are not permitted, to play on a 100% artificial pitch.

An excellent alternative to 100% synthetic turf solutions where performance infills like SBR, Cork, TPE, EPDM are perceived as a problem.

XtraGrass is essentially synthetic turf that is infilled with sand and grass instead of rubber, sand, cork, etc. Once XtraGrass is installed, the carpet “backing” begins to biodegrade and the natural grass roots through into the soil below.

How Does It Work?

The synthetic fibers coming up through the sand protect the crown of the grass plants. When a player stops, plants, turns, or pushes off, the synthetic fibers assist in footing and provide reinforcement to reduce shear and divots. When the field begins to wear, the synthetic fibers provide continued stability and supply a green cast to the field. XtraGrass on its own without sand and grass infill achieves a FIFA 1-star rating.

Easy to install

The XtraGrass? system can be easily installed on site, requiring only standard pitch installation equipment and utilising a high proportion of local labour. It typically takes the same length of time to install as a standard grass pitch. However, for those clubs in a hurry, XtraGrass? is also grown offsite and can be playable within days of installation. This has enormous advantages for clubs who need to partially or completely re-turf their pitch mid season.

XtraGrass? testing period Basel

In Basel, Schwitzerland there are several hybrid systems installed at one location on request of the German artificial grass association. This gives the opportunity to see how different hybrid systems grow over a time period of several months. Until now XtraGrass? has passed all tests and is ranked number one as the best hybrid system currently available on the market. 

Maintenance

Maintenance of an XtraGrass field is relatively similar to any other high traffic grass field. Regular aeration with solid tines/ deep tines to keep the field de-compacted is important. Core aeration is not possible because the backing will not go through the tines, but the top layer is sand and the grass is grown in from seed so there is no organic layer need to be opened up w/ core aeration. Dry-Ject, Air2G2, and such seem possible. As is slicing or spiking to promote rooting through the backing.

The main maintenance key in the long term will be thatch management. Thatch/ organic build up will have to be limited to keep the synthetic fibers in play. If the build up gets above the fibers, they will be useless. Regular, light verticutting and yearly to bi-yearly Universe? fraze mowing will be required. The Universe? rotor for the KORO Field Topmaker was originally invented to clean organic from Desso Grassmaster to avoid this very thing, so it is ideal for XtraGrass. Ultimately though, XtraGrass requires little special treatment than any other grass field

Conclusion

A natural grass/ synthetic hybrid system is scary to many because of the failures of products in the past. But because those failures in the past are understood, it is possible for such a product to work in the present and future. With 10 years of development and testing XtraGrass is a high traffic, low maintenance example of how hybrid turf solutions can help high traffic fields, especially in cool season climates where stability is an issue. Sports field managers and users are in need of a bridge product between full synthetic and standard natural grass… XtraGrass very much that bridge.

For more information see the XtraGrass website: https://www.xtragrass.com/en/

Stephen Stones - Director TenCate Grass, Asia Pacific