Notts Sport has launched CocoTurf Cricket, the first cricket surface globally to offer artificial performance without using any plastics. The UK-based surfacing specialist has created the product entirely from natural components, marking a major shift in how cricket facilities can be built with sustainability in mind.
Based on the company’s established CocoTurf platform, the cricket version has been carefully redesigned to meet the specific play requirements of the sport. The system uses coconut fibre yarns, jute backing layers and natural latex, eliminating plastics, microplastics and PFAS. This innovation sets a new benchmark for eco-conscious artificial wickets and represents a transformative milestone for the industry.
The inaugural installation has been completed at Lord’s, giving the cricketing world its first opportunity to see the surface in an elite environment. Comprehensive testing, including Ball Pitch Impact Assessment, has verified the wicket’s consistency, realistic ball behaviour and resilience comparable to expertly curated non-turf pitches. An ECB application is currently under review, paving the way for potential widespread adoption across clubs, schools and governing bodies.
CocoTurf Cricket addresses increasing concerns about the environmental impact of synthetic materials, from microplastic dispersal to PFAS contamination. It provides a reliable and future-ready alternative, supported by Oeko-Tex certification, recyclability, a dense 1,300 g/m² pile weight and a high water infiltration capability of 15,166 mm/hr, ensuring dependable playability in varied weather.
Every square metre contains fibre from approximately 6.5 coconuts, meaning a full single-lane installation requires around 585 coconuts. This innovative use of organic by-products reduces reliance on petrochemical manufacturing. The product is protected under International Patent Application No. PCT/GB2024/050422 (pending).
Duncan Bennett, CEO of Notts Sport, said: “CocoTurf Cricket is a genuine breakthrough for cricket facilities. For the first time, the sport has access to an artificial surface that performs like a professionally prepared pitch but is made entirely from natural materials. This is a major step toward eliminating plastics from non-turf systems and creating facilities that protect both players and the environment.”
Adam Walker, Technical Manager at Notts Sport, added: “We engineered CocoTurf Cricket with players in mind, but with absolute commitment to sustainability. This surface shows that you no longer have to choose between performance and environmental responsibility — you can have both.”
Notts Sport, with over 40 years of expertise developing cricket solutions in the UK and abroad, remains at the forefront of innovation, continuing to shape how the sport approaches facility design.
