SafeShell® Infill
Artificial turf systems are built from multiple structural layers that work together to create a stable and durable synthetic grass surface.
DEFINITION
SafeShell® Infill
SafeShell is an organic infill made from crushed walnut shells, designed for artificial turf systems requiring natural materials and odor control. It provides a more environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic infills while maintaining functional performance. It is commonly used in residential and pet turf installations.
Key Functions:
- Provides natural odor control
- Offers moderate cooling compared to rubber
- Supports fiber stability
System Role: Acts as a natural infill option that balances environmental preference with performance and odor control.
View in: Artificial Turf Infill Materials →
QUICK SUMMARY
SafeShell® Infill
Best For: Pet turf • Residential lawns • Natural infill preference
Not Ideal For: High-moisture environments • Sports fields
Key Benefits:
- Organic material (walnut shells)
- Provides natural odor control
- Lower heat retention than rubber
Tradeoffs:
- Can decompose over time
- Requires replenishment
- Higher cost than sand
Relative Cost: $$$
Performance Profile: Drainage: Medium • Heat Reduction: Medium • Odor Control: High • Durability: Medium
Part of the Artificial Turf Industry Glossary.
This diagram highlights infill material, the granular layer placed between artificial grass fibers to support the blades and stabilize the turf surface.
Turf Network — Artificial Turf System Components
Source: Turf Network – turfnetwork.org/artificial-grass/components/infill/
System Components
The Role Infill Material Plays in Artificial Turf Systems
During the installation of artificial grass, a very small granular material called infill is spread over the turf.
Infill serves several important purposes that contribute to the overall performance and longevity of artificial grass.
SafeShell fills the infill layer with organic material that supports drainage while helping control odors.
It acts as ballast, keeping turf in place, protects the backing from UV damage, keeps fibers upright, and mimics the sensation of walking on natural grass.
Additionally, infill materials can contribute to efficient drainage and reduce odors, especially in pet-friendly environments.
What is SafeShell® Infill?
SafeShell® and SafeShell SmoothPlay™ are both part of the Motz Group’s organic infill lineup, made from 100% USA-grown walnut shells. These infills provide all the benefits of a natural infill while maintaining safety, integrity, and quality. They are low-maintenance, long-lasting, and safe for people, pets, and the environment, making them a significant improvement for turf systems.
Artificial grass using SafeShell infill has a wide range of applications, from residential use in the backyard and children’s play areas to sports fields and athletic facilities. The toughness, durability, and natural cooling properties of Safeshell make it suitable for sports fields, while its allergen- and toxin-free nature makes it an ideal choice for playgrounds.
Safeshell SmoothPlay is Motz’s latest innovation in infills, designed to be cooler, with less friction and high durability. Its fine granular size allows it to settle easily into dense turf systems, resulting in a less abrasive surface. Abrasion in SmoothPlay is reduced by up to 42% compared to traditional crumb rubber and sand systems. It’s recommended for sports such as soccer, baseball, and American football.
What is SafeShell® Made Of?
Safeshell is derived from black walnut shells grown in the US. To ensure safety, Motz collaborated with a leading biotechnology firm to create a patent-pending process that removes allergens from the shells after they are separated from the nuts.
Unlike other organic infills, Safeshell remains stable, does not degrade, and is unaffected by hot or wet weather. Its round shape helps it resist compression and it does not float, performing consistently in both wet and dry conditions. You can enjoy the benefits of an organic infill without the need for extensive maintenance.
Safeshell sets the standard for natural turf infill in residential and commercial landscaping. It is an organic, non-toxic infill that prioritizes safety, quality, and performance. Particularly suitable for backyards and landscaped areas near water, Safeshell achieves the remarkable feat of combining high performance with low environmental impact in long-lasting turf systems.
As the most durable natural infill available, Safeshell is crafted from one of the toughest nut shells in the world. It does not degrade or float, resulting in minimal product migration and ensuring it remains in place. With an 8-year warranty and minimal top-up requirements, you can always rely on Safeshell for athletic fields, yards, playgrounds, and more.
What are the Benefits of SafeShell Infill?
Low Maintenance
Safeshell, unlike other organic infills, remains in position, does not deteriorate, and maintains its integrity in hot or wet climates. The spherical shape of each grain enables the product to withstand compression. It does not float and performs consistently in both wet and dry conditions.
Naturally Durable
As the most long-lasting natural infill available, Safeshell does not deteriorate or break down. It also does not float, resulting in minimal migration and ensuring it remains in place. With an 8-year warranty and minimal top-up needed, you can rely on Safeshell for athletic fields, yards, playgrounds, and other applications.
Lowers Surface Temps
Safeshell is highly effective at evaporative cooling, which is essential for maintaining a cooler playing surface. It has the ability to absorb water with minimal expansion and then gradually release it over time, preventing surfaces from heating up too quickly. Even without water, Safeshell still provides a cooler playing experience compared to crumb rubber, even in dry conditions.
Organic & Safe
With Safeshell you can rest easy knowing that your infill is crafted from 100% natural, organic and food-grade components. Additionally, they developed a process (patent-pending) that decreases the presence of allergens on the shell following its separation from the nut. The process removes allergens to levels below 2.4 parts per million, strictly adhering to FDA guidelines.
Grown in U.S.A.
The walnuts used in the production of SafeShell are grown entirely in the USA. Therefore, when purchasing Safeshell infill for your residential or commercial application, you’re supporting American farmers and agriculture. Instead of “farm to table,” you can think of it as from farms to fields.
Proprietary Blend
To achieve the best performance, Black and English walnut shells are combined to create Safeshell. Black walnut shells are thicker, resulting in rounder and less abrasive grains once the shells are ground. Using only round grains would be unstable, so they blend them with the thinner, less round grains of ground English shells. The outcome is a proprietary blend that strikes the ideal balance between firmness, speed, and player-friendliness.
USDA BioPreferred
Safeshell contains 100% USDA certified biobased content showing that the company meets the high standards set forth by the USDA Secretary of Agriculture. It’s among the first organic infill materials that serve to make artificial turf even more eco-friendly.
Perfect for Landscapes
Safeshell is a versatile organic infill suitable for use in athletic fields and various landscape settings. It can be utilized in residential and commercial applications including lawns, playgrounds, recreational spaces, and play areas. For smaller landscape projects like backyards, front yards, or commercial lawns, Safeshell is available in 25lb bags and can be delivered to any location within the United States.
How To Use SafeShell & SmoothPlay Infill
Using SafeShell® infill effectively in an artificial turf installation is pretty straightforward. After the artificial turf has been laid out and properly secured to the sub-base, an infill ballast should be evenly distributed over the surface.
This first layer could be silica sand infill or Envirofill if your budget allows. The SafeShell and SmoothPlay infill will be applied as a top layer of performance infill that sits on top of the heavier and more dense layer of sand infill. It’s important to ensure an even spread of infill across the entire area to achieve uniform weight distribution and optimal performance.
The Lifecycle of Safeshell® Organic Infill
The graphic below shows the steps involved in the lifecycle of SafeShell organic infill. From it’s origins in walnut trees, the manufacturing process, its use on artificial turf sports fields and landscapes, and its final resting place as compost for the next generation of walnut trees.
