Our Global Journey

The story of Trespa’s global journey started 60 years ago. Originally a local producer of chipboards, the company quickly turned to the high-pressure laminate market. Our rich history, characterised by passion and hard work, has given us the experience to be at forefront of market innovation and the creative design process.

 

2009 - PRESENT: THE EXPLORING AND INSPIRING YEARS

2009
Trespa receives the Design Management Europe Award.

2011
Opening of the Trespa Design Centre in Barcelona, Spain. The Trespa Design Centre in Santiago, Chile, will follow in 2012.

2012
The Matt finish, which gives the panels a matt look from every angle, is introduced.

2013
Development of the Trespa® Meteon® with Solar Reflectance Technology, which improves the heat reflection of the building envelope.

2015
Development of the Electron Beam Curing (EBC) 2 line, further improving the quality of the surfaces and increasing production capacity. Pura® NFC by Trespa, a siding made with natural fibres, is introduced to the market.

2020
Trespa celebrates our 60th birthday! Trespa has realised amazing projects across the globe and is looking forward to developing many more façade projects featuring Trespa® Meteon®, PURA® NFC by Trespa, or Trespa® Izeon®, as well as shaping the scientific world with the Trespa® TopLab® range.

2000 - 2008

2001
A 30-compartment press is put into production, which is the largest press in the world at that time.

2003
Introduction of Trespa® Meteon® Wood Decors.

2004
Trespa obtains ISO 14001 certification.

2005
Launch of “Perspectives,” a communication and inspirational platform for architects that focuses on three design concepts: Depth, Character and Rhythm.

2008
Opening of the Trespa Design Centre in New York, United States. Trespa also introduces the ZF panel size (4270 x 2130 mm).

1990 - 1999

1990
UMC St. Radboud Hospital in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, is cladded with four Trespa® Meteon® decors. When revisited in 2014, it shows minimal colour change.

1994
Trespa Volkern G2, Trespa Sanitary, Trespa Furniture and Trespa Laboratory are replaced by Trespa® Meteon®, Trespa® Athlon®, and Trespa® TopLab®.

1995
Trespa International B.V. is born.

1996
Trespa International B.V. is acquired by HAL Holding NV.

1997
Trespa North America Ltd. is created as the first non-European branch.

1999
Launch of Trespa® TopLab®PLUS, high-performing surfaces for laboratory worktops.

1970 - 1990: THE CHANGING AND INNOVATIVE YEARS

1972 
Establishment of the first European branch in Belgium. Germany (1980), the United Kingdom (1983) and France (1988) will follow.

1984
Introduction of “Dry Forming,” a new patented production technology for core materials based on natural fibres and phenolic resin. The process partly replaces the impregnation of Kraft paper.

1987
The development and patent of the Electron Beam Curing (EBC) technology allow Trespa to switch from a melamine surface to a high-quality coating system that makes panels more durable and gives them a high colour stability. The innovation pushes the launch of Trespa Volkern G2.

1960 - 1970: THE FORMATIVE YEARS

1960
German timber merchant Hermann Krages founds Thermopal, a manufacturer of high-pressure laminates in Weert, the Netherlands.

1961
The sales organisation is established for the Netherlands.

1962
The panel factory starts with two presses, two impregnation lines and a resin tower.

1963
First panels sold under the trade name of Trespa.

1967
Launch of Trespa Volkern, a 12mm thick, fully homogenous and strong laminate that's ideal for desktops.

1969
Trespa Volkern is tested outdoors, and it is used as a sunshade for an office building in Delft, the Netherlands. This marks the production of panels for exterior application.