The most popular infill for synthetic turf fields is created with crumb rubber (SBR) infill, which is made by grinding up recycled rubber car and truck tires. The rubber granules have been used on sports fields because of their shock absorption and elasticity.  However, rubber is a complex mixture and is made by combining many different components, some of which possess toxic and carcinogenic properties. When the infill sits in the sun, it becomes hot and some of the heavy metals and fillers will leach out and emit toxins into the air.  There has been speculation around whether recycled SBR rubber infill may give off toxins that are harmful to the environment and humans.

We saw the issues with crumb rubber and wanted to provide a solution for consumers to feel confident about the turf infill their athletes are exposed to. We put our scientists to work to create an alternative that’s clean, bio-based, and longer-lasting.  Out of our US lab came our Guardian Bio-Based TPE Infill made with corn and soy oils.

Systems Installed:

*Better energy restitution: 2” Pile over Schmitz pad: 5 lbs. sand + 1lb. TPE per square foot
2” Pile over pad: 4 ½ lb. sand + 1 ½ lbs. TPE per square foot
*Higher HIC: 2” Pile over pad: 4 lbs. sand + 2 lbs. TPE per square foot
2” pile without pad: 2 lbs. sand + 5 lbs. TPE per square foot
2 ½” pile with pad: 60/40 ratio of sand + TPE

Top Dressing:

2” Pile: 3 lbs. sand + 2 ½ lbs. SBR + ½ lb. TPE per square foot
2 ¼” Pile: 4 lbs. sand + 3 lbs. SBR + ½ lb. TPE per square foot

Systems in use:

2” pile height:
3# sand, 2.5 # SBR, ½ # TPE

2 ½“ pile height:
4 # sand, 3 # SBR, ½ # TPE

• Heat Reduction: Yes (Temperature data)
• Sourced in USA: Yes
• Class 1 Fire Rating: Yes (Radiant Panel)
• Prop 65: Yes (Certification)
• Recyclable: Yes
• Safe for Water Runoff: Yes (Rainbow Trout Method)
• FIFA: Yes (UVA Aging data)
• Added Maintenance: No (Splash)
• Required Top Dressing: No