Notts Sport has unveiled CocoTurf Cricket, the first artificial cricket surface constructed fully from natural materials and entirely free from plastic. The UK surfacing pioneer has designed the product to help cricket progress towards a more environmentally responsible future.
An evolution of the company’s CocoTurf technology, this new system has been purpose-built to deliver cricket-specific play qualities. Manufactured from coconut fibres supported by jute and natural latex, the surface contains no plastics, microplastics or PFAS. As the only artificial cricket surface of its kind globally, it represents an important advance in sustainable sporting infrastructure.
The debut installation is now in place at Lord’s Cricket Ground, demonstrating how leading venues are starting to embrace natural alternatives. The system has been rigorously tested, including through Ball Pitch Impact Assessment, with results confirming predictable bounce, authentic pace and long-term durability in line with professional non-turf wicket standards. An application to the ECB is underway, signalling movement toward formal accreditation and broader roll-out.
CocoTurf Cricket responds directly to increasing scrutiny around synthetic surfaces and their environmental footprint. With issues such as microplastic release and chemical contamination gaining attention, this natural solution offers a practical route toward greener facility design. It is Oeko-Tex certified, fully recyclable, includes a pile weight of 1,300 g/m² and delivers an outstanding water infiltration rate of 15,166 mm/hr, ensuring usability throughout the year.
The system utilises natural coconut by-products, with each square metre incorporating the fibres of roughly 6.5 coconuts. A full lane uses around 585 coconuts, offering a resource-efficient alternative to fossil-fuel-derived materials. The invention is currently covered by 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.”
With a long-standing track record of delivering cricket surface solutions internationally, Notts Sport continues to influence the sport’s future through innovation, performance and sustainability.
