A rich history in synthetic turf development

The history of our textile technologies

Where we come from

The heritage of Royal TenCate gives us more than 300 years of textile technologies. We have been present at the synthetic turf market from the very start of its existence, to where we are now.

1704

TenCate's roots go back to the eighteenth centrury, during which Hendrik TenCate was a commercial intermediary in the linen industry. He bought yarn, distributed it to farmers and sold the processed linen fabrics in the Netherlands and abroad. The first official company document was recorded in 1704.

1841

TenCate merged with a weaving mill and began manufacturing.

1966

First generation of synthetic turf was installed at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas.

1969

TenCate developed and manufactured the first generation of nylon synthetic turf fibres and backings for sport fields.

1976

Synthetic turf was used for the first time at the Olympics for hockey - a start for all international tournaments.

1987

TenCate developed the new polymer LSR (Low Sliding Resistance) for sports pitches. A friendlier and softer surface for players.

1988

TenCate introduced KdK fibres for hockey turf, using texturized yarns created by a unique new knitting and de-knitting technology.

1996

Introduction of the third generation of turf, using infill materials to support fibres and provide shock absorption.

2001

TenCate acquires its current plant in Dayton Tennessee, effectively starting manufacturing in the United States of America.

2002

TenCate became the oldest Royal industrial company in the Netherlands, being granted the "Royal" designation 150 years ago in 2002.

2007

Operations in the Middle East began with a TenCate factory producing fibres in Dubai.

2008

TenCate developed the next generation of turf without performance infill materials, called non-fill.

2009

First non-fill sports systems were installed in Switzerland.

2010

We introduced new technology using UV-resistant and water permeable garden turf that is natural looking and highly durable.

2012

The first MX pitch was installed, which was manufactured and patented by TenCate as a matrix woven synthetic turf carpet.

2014

TenCate subsidiary GreenFields installed the main fields for the Hockey World Cup as an introduction to the succesfull TX hockey range.

2016

Royal TenCate Group is delisted from the Amsterdam Stock Exchange by a group of investors led by Gilde Buy out Partners. TenCate Grass starts the process towards becoming an independent company.

2020

Our Centre for Turf Innovation was launched to further improve the understanding of player-surface interaction.

2022

We keep pushing the limits to create new future-proof and sustainable turf systems.