Manufacturer of geogrids and geosynthetics for soil stabilization and reinforcement in infrastructure construction
Tensar International GmbH
Bonn · Alpharetta, GA · Morrow, Georgia · Blackburn · WuhanNew on Amplifa
About Tensar
Tensar is a manufacturer of geosynthetics with a focus on geogrids for soil stabilization and soil reinforcement. The product portfolio includes uniaxial geogrids, multiaxial TriAx grids, the InterAx geogrids as well as TriAx (TX-GD) grids with nonwoven fabric, alongside geotextiles, geocells, geonets, plastic geomembranes, geocomposites, geosynthetic clay liners, geopipes and geofoam. The geogrids are manufactured from polymer materials such as HDPE and polypropylene in an extrusion and stretching process in which the molecular structure is oriented to increase the strength and stiffness of the ribs. In addition, geotextiles made of polyester and polypropylene are produced as woven fabrics, nonwovens or knitted textiles, as well as ultrasonically welded geocells. Applications include base course stabilization, reinforced earth, shallow foundations, access roads and crane pads, for example in wind farm construction. Tensar Application Engineering offers feasibility analyses, structural calculations, detailed design planning, design with the Tensar+ software, and on-site support. Since 2022, Tensar has been a division of CMC (Commercial Metals Company) with more than 650 employees in 16 countries; the German sales office is located in Bonn.
- Site
- Bonn
- Processes
- Manufacture of geogrids (uniaxial, multiaxial TriAx, InterAx, TriAx TX-GD with nonwoven fabric), Manufacture of geotextiles (woven fabrics, nonwovens, knitted textiles), Manufacture of geocells (ultrasonically welded polyethylene honeycombs or geotextile strips), Manufacture of other geosynthetics: geonets, plastic geomembranes,, Extrusion of geogrids (production by extrusion, bonding or weaving; stretching process, Engineering services: feasibility analysis, structural analysis, engineering calculations,, TensarTech Stratum system (reinforced earth / base course stabilization with InterAx base grid), Geogrid installation/soil stabilization on site (application consulting, construction supervision)
- Materials
- High-density polyethylene (HDPE), Polypropylene, Polyester, Polyethylene, Steel (reinforcing steel, corrosion-resistant), High-density polyethylene
- Certificates
- BBA certification (Tensar uniaxial geogrid, UK highways), European Technical Approval (TriAx), BBA certification, European Technical Approval (ETA)
- Founded
- 1959
- Employees
- 650
- Industries
- Road and traffic infrastructure construction, Railway, Industrial and commercial construction, Renewable energy (wind/solar), Residential development, Geotechnical/civil engineering
- 01
Extrusion of polymer materials
- 02
Stretching process for molecular orientation
- 03
Manufacture of geogrids and geosynthetics
- 04
Engineering and design (Tensar+)
- 05
Delivery and on-site support during construction
Materials & Processes
High-density polyethylene
Polymer-based material for geogrid ribs with high resistance to soil and environmental stress.
Polypropylene
Used for geogrids and geotextiles as woven fabric, nonwoven or knitted textile.
Polyester
Fiber material for high-strength geotextiles for separation, filtration and reinforcement.
Polyethylene
Material for ultrasonically welded geocell honeycombs.
Sites
Bonn
DEGerman office / Sales office
Alpharetta, GA
USTensar corporate headquarters
Morrow, Georgia
USProduction site
- Materials
- Polymer materials
- Geogrid production line (extrusion/stretching process)
Blackburn
GBProduction site
- Materials
- HDPE, polypropylene
- Geogrid production line (extrusion/stretching process, since 1982)
Wuhan
CNProduction site
- Materials
- Polymer materials
- Geogrid production line (since 2004)
Components & Products
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacture of geogrids (uniaxial, multiaxial TriAx, InterAx, TriAx TX-GD with nonwoven fabric)Plastics | – | – | – | – | HDPE, Polypropylene, Highly resistant polymers |
| Manufacture of geotextiles (woven fabrics, nonwovens, knitted textiles)Plastics | – | – | – | – | Polyester, Polypropylene |
| Manufacture of geocells (ultrasonically welded polyethylene honeycombs or geotextile strips)Plastics | – | – | – | – | Polyethylene, Geotextile |
| Manufacture of other geosynthetics: geonets, plastic geomembranes,Plastics | – | – | – | – | Polymer materials |
| Extrusion of geogrids (production by extrusion, bonding or weaving; stretching processPlastics | – | – | – | – | High-density polyethylene (HDPE), Polypropylene |
| Engineering services: feasibility analysis, structural analysis, engineering calculations,Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| TensarTech Stratum system (reinforced earth / base course stabilization with InterAx base grid)Plastics | – | – | – | – | Geogrid (polymer) |
| Geogrid installation/soil stabilization on site (application consulting, construction supervision)Assembly | – | – | – | – | – |
3 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geogrid production line (extrusion/stretching process) | Tensar | – | – | 1982 | Blackburn, England, UK |
| Geogrid production line | Tensar | – | – | 2004 | Wuhan, China |
| Geogrid production line | Tensar | – | – | – | Morrow, Georgia, USA |
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality
Tensar products are among others BBA-certified (uniaxial geogrid for UK highways and structures) and the TriAx geogrid carries a European Technical Approval. The Mercer Lecture series and more than 110 patents document the ongoing validation of the design approaches.
| Evidence | Blackburn |
|---|---|
| BBA certification | |
| European Technical Approval (ETA) |
History
- 1959
Netlon founded by Dr. Brian Mercer OBE
- 1978
Introduction of the Tensar process for geogrid manufacturing
- 1980
Introduction of the Tensar uniaxial geogrid
- 1982
First geogrid production plant in Blackburn, UK
- 1985
BBA certification of the uniaxial geogrid for the UK
- 1992
Mercer Lecture series established
- 2004
Production plant in Wuhan opened
- 2006
Tensar Corporation acquires Tensar Group (UK)
- 2007
TriAx geogrid launched, New Civil Engineer Innovation Award
- 2012
TriAx receives European Technical Approval
- 2013
Tensar geogrid chosen as a British invention of the 20th century
- 2014
Production plant in St. Petersburg opened
- 2016
Tensar Road Technology launched
- 2017
Spectra Pavement Optimisation: Highways Industry Product of the Year
- 2018
Geogrid recognized as a revolutionary innovation by the Institution of Civil Engineers
- 2019
Manufacturing Excellence Award
- 2021
Launch of InterAx geogrid and Tensar+ software
- 2022
Tensar becomes a division of CMC; Russian plant divested