In an artificial turf system, the backing is the technical foundation that anchors and secures every fibre.
It plays a crucial role in the system's long-term durability, dimensional stability and drainage performance, directly influencing player comfort, field safety and overall playing quality.
Driven by Mondo's commitment to pushing beyond limits, our Research & Development laboratories have engineered a technology that redefines the role of the backing in modern artificial turf systems: UNITE.
UNITE is Mondo's patented backing technology for artificial turf systems, developed and validated in collaboration with the Instituto Tecnológico de Aragón (ITA) and AIMPLAS – Technological Institute of Plastics, Valencia.
More than a simple product innovation, UNITE represents a complete redesign of the backing itself, involving new materials, an innovative structural concept and an advanced thermal bonding process.
The result is a technology specifically engineered to deliver measurable improvements in the areas that matter most:
Let's take a closer look at how UNITE transforms the performance and sustainability of modern artificial turf.
UNITE is the first artificial turf backing developed without the need for polyurethane or latex coating.
Instead, the thermally bonded backing is manufactured exclusively from polyethylene (PE) and polyester (PET)—two compatible materials that can be efficiently separated and fully recovered at the end of the product's life cycle.
This innovative design makes 100% closed-loop recyclability possible.
At end of life:
The result is an artificial turf system designed for circularity—combining high performance with a significantly reduced environmental footprint while already addressing the sustainability requirements of tomorrow.
Behind this achievement lies an extensive programme of research, testing and material innovation.
UNITE has been developed following internationally recognised environmental assessment methodologies:
Surface heat is one of the main factors affecting player comfort and the overall playing experience on artificial turf.
During the summer months, conventional backing systems tend to retain heat, increasing the surface temperature and making the pitch less comfortable for athletes.
Although irrigation can temporarily cool the playing surface, it often provides only short-term relief while requiring significant water consumption.
A surface that naturally remains cooler requires fewer cooling interventions. During the warmest periods of the year, this can also contribute to a more efficient use of water resources, supporting a more sustainable management of sports facilities.
UNITE was specifically developed to address this challenge.
Laboratory testing has demonstrated significant improvements in thermal performance:
By reducing heat build-up, UNITE helps create a more comfortable playing environment while supporting the long-term sustainability of artificial turf installations.
Efficient drainage is essential for maintaining the performance, safety and durability of an artificial turf pitch.
For football, rugby and five-a-side football players, rapid water evacuation means more consistent playing conditions and improved traction, even after heavy rainfall.
For facility owners and operators, superior drainage helps preserve the integrity of the playing surface, reduces maintenance requirements and maximises pitch availability throughout the year.
UNITE sets a new benchmark in drainage performance through measurable, independently validated results.
By maintaining a more even distribution of infill materials across the pitch, UNITE contributes to more consistent playing characteristics while reducing the maintenance required to restore optimal field conditions.
An artificial turf system for football, rugby or five-a-side football must maintain its dimensional stability throughout its entire service life, regardless of playing intensity or environmental conditions.
A stable backing helps preserve the integrity of the playing surface, ensuring consistent performance while reducing the risk of deformations that may affect player comfort, safety and ball behaviour.
Thanks to its innovative thermally bonded structure, UNITE improves dimensional stability by 22% compared with conventional polyurethane-backed systems.
Discover how UNITE can transform your next artificial turf project. Contact our team to learn more.