Base Layers Product

Ecocept® Base

ECO-range

Game-changing performance with Ecocept®

TenCate Ecocept® Performance Sports Base is an innovative new type of porous pavement specially developed to use below synthetic sports turf surfaces. The base acts as a combined structural layer and shock pad to ensure a stable surface whilst also reducing the loads experienced by players. It also reduces the impact on the environment as it is almost entirely made from recycled materials, including old synthetic pitches.

The Ecocept Performance Sports Base is made of recycled plastics, recycled rubber and a binder material. For each full-size pitch installation, it can divert up to 140 tonnes from landfill. Moreover, an end-of-life synthetic turf can now be recycled into a base for a new artificial grass pitch. As part of a GreenFields system, Ecocept is specifically developed as the base for synthetic turf sports surfaces. It integrates seamlessly with artificial grass to enhance biomechanical properties and support performance.

Ecocept provides structural stability in a fully bound and stabilised base. The sports base has excellent drainage performance, eliminating costly below field drainage. It can consistently provide shock absorbency across the entire field, reducing the amount of loose infill required within a system.

Why choose Ecocept®

  • Improved sports performance - Improves player safety, performance, and field longevity.
  • Cost Efficiency - 20-year warranty and simplified construction reduce overall costs.
  • Environmental Impact - Reuses end-of-life turf materials and supports sustainable field construction.
  • Reduced Construction Time - 3-in-1 system (sub-base, shockpad, drainage) minimizes excavation and speeds up installation.
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Construction process

See how the construction process is carried out utilising this innovative sports base.

 

Pre-fabricated shock pads

Prefabricated shock pads (PE, PP, PU) are foamed or bounded plastic layers. PE shock pads are generally (but not exclusively) in the range of 8-12 mm thick, often delivered on a roll with drainage cuts in the material.

  • PP pads are thicker, about 20 mm, also on a roll made from recycled material.
  • PU pads are especially suitable for the higher insulation values for instance in combination with field heating.
  • PP pads are thicker, about 20 mm, also on a roll made from recycled material.
  • PU pads are especially suitable for the higher insulation values for instance in combination with field heating.

In-situ elastic layer

  • In-situ shock pads or E-layers (EL, ET, Ecocept) are elastic layers which are laid with specialist equipment, as a durable and well-draining sports technical layer.
  • In-situ layers are often 10-30 mm thick and are constructed from rubber granules bounded and encapsulated with a PU binder.

ET layers also function as a stable foundation with added stone and are generally thicker (35 mm). Optionally recycled material such as recycled infill or recycled artificial turf (Ecocept) can be used instead of stone, reducing the ecological footprint substantially.