A Traverse City manufacturer is in the final stages of a project to bring its unique technology to the home of the Detroit Tigers.

The Ticker reported in December that Traverse City company Promethient was working with Figueras, a manufacturer of high-end seating solutions based in Barcelona, Spain, to bring new “premium comfort seats” to Comerica Park. The core technology in the seats – described in a press release as “quick-touch heating and cooling climate control technology” – was developed and brought to market by Promethient.

Trademarked under the name of Thermavance, the tech combines graphene – a one-atom-thick layer of graphite, known for its incredible tensile strength, flexibility, and efficient heat conductivity – with thermoelectric heat pump devices. The resulting material can be sewn into virtually anything – be it a car seat, a garment, or a piece of military equipment – and then heated or cooled electrically. The result is what Promethient calls “human-scaled climate control,” a way of giving each individual the ability to manage their own temperature by way of conductive heat transfer.

In anticipation of the Tigers’ 2025 season, Promethient announced this week that it is “fast approaching the final installation of 400 state-of-the-art Thermavance cooled and heated seats at Comerica Park.” The Tigers are the first team in major league sports to roll out this type of technology at their venue.

“Our team is working tirelessly to ensure every detail is perfect, from the advanced climate control technology, to the appearance and comfort of each seat,” Promethient shared on LinkedIn. “This installation is part of the new Home Plate Club, offering fans unprecedented comfort and luxury while enjoying the game.”

The Home Plate Club is a new premium seating area at Comerica, and the seats will include not just quick-touch heating and cooling, but also other desirable features like extra legroom, marine-grade vinyl upholstery, and more.

The Tigers will kick off their 2025 season next Thursday, March 27 with the first game in a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. All three of those games will be played in California, but the Tigers will return to Comerica Park on Friday, April 4, for a home opener against the Chicago White Sox. The full-season schedule can be found on the Tigers’ official Major League Baseball website.