Discover 130 years of innovation

People

From the world’s first technical adhesive tape to the adhesive technologies of tomorrow

One mishap. One idea. The beginning of a new technology.

The story of tesa adhesive tape technologies began 130 years ago with a simple yet groundbreaking idea: the world’s first technical adhesive tape for repairing bicycle tires. Today, tesa adhesive solutions are used in electric vehicles, smartphones, and countless industrial applications – and have become indispensable to modern production processes.

It is a story of ingenuity, courage, and the ability to recognize opportunities where others see only obstacles. We invite you to celebrate this remarkable story with us.

Celebrate with us and win one of ten Clayton e-bikes.

troplowitz-rund — Oscar Troplowitz, the inventor of the world's first technical adhesive tape.

How failure became innovation

Great innovations do not always begin with success. In the late 19th century, Oscar Troplowitz was searching for a medical plaster that would adhere securely while remaining gentle on the skin. One of his trials had excellent adhesive strength – but was far too strong for the skin. What others might have considered a failure, Troplowitz recognized as an opportunity.

“CITO – Sport-Heftpflaster”

In 1896, the product was launched as “CITO – Sport-Heftpflaster.” It stabilized bandages, joined materials, and, above all, helped make damaged bicycle tires roadworthy again. This laid the foundation for what is now considered the world’s first technical adhesive tape.

1896 Deutschland Cito (tesa) — CITO – Sports adhesive plaster for riders, tourists and cyclists

The Lassoband followed in 1906. Originally developed for laboratories, it quickly became established in many other areas as a practical tool for sealing, labeling, and organizing. Even then, an idea was taking shape that still defines tesa today: Innovation happens when real challenges meet genuine solutions.

Four letters that conquered the world: tesa

elsa-rund — Elsa Tesmer Namesake of tesa. In 1908, tesa was initially protected without any specific use.

The name tesa goes back to Beiersdorf employee Elsa Tesmer, who created it using letters from her own name. The brand was registered as early as 1908, but it would not find its true purpose until decades later.

In 1934, Hugo Kirchberg opened a new chapter in the company’s history with a remarkable conviction: He believed in the

unlimited possibilities of self-adhesive technology.

Kirchberg did not think in terms of the material, but of the application. To him, it was not only important that something adhered, but what difference the solution made for people and processes.

kirchberg-rund-4 — Hugo Kirchberg believed in the unlimited possibilities of adhesive technology.

Tesa adhesive film, later known as tesafilm, embodied this approach. Only when paired with the handheld dispenser developed by Kirchberg did adhesive tape become an intuitive solution for everyday use. Tesa masking tape, Tesaband, Tesaflex, and tesa-moll followed. A largely overlooked sideline grew into a key pillar of the business – and ultimately into a global technology company.

The plant in Offenburg began operations in 1961. In 1974, tesa became an independent division within Beiersdorf, and in 1982 the first plant outside Europe opened in Sparta, Michigan. tesa has been an independent company since 2001.

Where you do not see tesa, it often makes the difference

tesa: Often invisible, but essential.

You encounter tesa adhesive tape technologies today more often than you may realize. They do much more than simply join two surfaces. Our solutions absorb impacts and noise, insulate, conduct heat and electricity, protect against moisture and extreme temperatures, and enable more compact, higher-performing products.

An electric vehicle can contain more than 130 tesa adhesive tape applications, and a smartphone up to 70. Other solutions support aviation, construction, the printing and packaging industries, skilled trades, and countless applications in offices and homes. They are often invisible, yet crucial.

The way we bond is also changing. Precisely die-cut adhesive tapes can be applied cleanly, quickly, and consistently – manually, with dispensers, or fully automatically by robots. This turns tape into an integral part of modern production processes.

The future of bonding: intelligent, connected, circular

Bond securely. Debond precisely.

The next revolution in adhesive technology is not just about ever-stronger adhesion, but about intelligent control. Debonding on Demand refers to adhesive solutions that bond reliably and permanently – and can be released precisely when needed. This makes repairs easier, enables individual components to be replaced, and improves the separation of valuable materials at the end of a product’s life. In this way, bonding becomes a key enabler of circular products and more sustainable processes.

Adhesive tapes become high-tech systems

At the same time, tesa is opening up entirely new dimensions in adhesive technology. Intelligent tapes will create new possibilities for modern battery systems, support end-to-end product tracking, and enable innovative holography applications. Traditional adhesive tape is becoming a highly functional system that makes products smarter, processes more efficient, and technologies fit for the future.

Our 130 years of experience are not simply something to look back on – they are our advantage for what comes next.

You can also read the full story about the technical adhesive tape in the Chronicle:

Chronicle PDF 3.6 MB

From bicycle tire to e-bike: Win one of ten Clayton e-bikes

Our story began with an adhesive tape that helped cyclists get back on the road after a flat tire. Now, 130 years later, we are returning to those roots—and helping you get moving with electric power.

Answer the following three questions correctly by December 31, 2026 and secure your chance to win now: