In recent years, the synthetic grass industry has undergone a significant transformation. Production technologies have evolved, and today the most advanced systems are no longer designed simply to replicate the appearance of natural grass, but to deliver increasingly high performance while reducing environmental impact and simplifying field management.
Within this evolution comes no-infill synthetic grass, a solution that completely eliminates the use of traditional infill materials such as sand or polymer granules, while still maintaining stability, durability and quality of play.
Innovation in this sector is already a reality: the Passo Sella Torino Club Sports Center in Gallarate by Marco Parolo was the world’s first 100% NO-INFILL football field to receive FIFA BASIC certification, built using the Ultramix 38.40 EVO N.I. system developed by Radici Sport.
This project marked the beginning of a new approach to sports surfaces and, in the following years, paved the way for the development of additional fields based on the same technology.
What Is No-Infill Synthetic Grass
No-infill synthetic grass is a system designed to perform without the addition of infill materials between the turf fibres.
In traditional synthetic fields, infill is used to stabilise the turf structure and contribute to the surface response during play. In next-generation systems, this function is integrated directly into the product design.
Through a specific combination of fibres, turf density and advanced textile technologies, the system is able to maintain stability, durability and surface quality without the need for additional external materials.
This approach represents an important evolution in the industry, as it simplifies field management while anticipating new regulatory requirements related to the sustainability of sports surfaces.
Product Structure
Even without infill materials, a NO-INFILL system is the result of highly precise engineering.
The turf consists of a technical backing into which synthetic fibres are inserted through advanced textile manufacturing processes. The quality of the yarn, stitch density and fibre structure therefore become essential elements in ensuring stability and long-term durability.
One example of this technology is Ultramix 38.40 EVO N.I., developed by Radici Sport. Its structure is based on a special combination of monofilaments with different levels of texturisation and a high density of stitches and filaments, features that provide excellent wear resistance and high playing performance.
This configuration allows the field to maintain surface stability and uniformity even without the use of infill materials or performance pads.
Discover Ultramix 38.40 EVO N.I.
Differences Compared to Infill Systems
The most evident difference between traditional systems and no-infill systems is precisely the absence of infill materials.
In traditional synthetic fields, infill contributes to turf stability and helps manage the stresses generated during play. In NO-INFILL systems, these functions are integrated directly into the structure of the product itself.
This approach reduces material dispersion and simplifies certain maintenance operations, while also providing a cleaner and more uniform playing surface.
Another important aspect concerns regulations. No-infill technologies are already anticipating future European regulations that will ban the sale of polymer-based infill materials by 2031.
Benefits of No-Infill Synthetic Grass
One of the main advantages of this solution is the simplification of the overall system. By eliminating infill, certain installation phases are reduced and the dispersion of materials outside the playing area is avoided.
This results in a cleaner surface that is easier to manage over time, a particularly valuable feature for both sports facilities and decorative applications.
Another key element is sustainability. NO-INFILL systems help reduce the amount of material used within the field and simplify management and disposal operations at the end of the product’s lifecycle.
From a performance perspective, the most advanced systems are designed to ensure high-quality play and significant wear resistance, even in sports environments where the surface is used intensively.
When to Choose No-Infill Synthetic Grass
Choosing a no-infill system mainly depends on the intended use of the surface and the goals of the project.
When the objective is to adopt an innovative, sustainable and easy-to-manage solution, NO-INFILL systems are becoming an increasingly attractive choice. In sports applications, new technologies demonstrate that high performance can be achieved even without traditional infill materials.
For this reason, no-infill synthetic grass is now considered one of the most promising directions in the development of next-generation sports surfaces.
Maintenance
Although it does not include infill materials, a no-infill synthetic grass field still requires simple maintenance operations to preserve its characteristics over time.
The periodic removal of leaves and debris helps maintain surface cleanliness, while regular inspections make it possible to check turf uniformity and fibre condition.
Careful but non-invasive maintenance helps preserve aesthetic quality, safety and playing performance over time.
