60 Years of Dycem
This year marks an incredible milestone for Dycem, 60 years of innovation, performance, and trust. Since 1966, Dycem has been dedicated to creating solutions that make environments cleaner, safer, and more controlled. From our world-leading Contamination Control products that protect critical environments to our Non-Slip range that enhances safety and stability across healthcare and everyday settings, Dycem’s legacy is built on quality, reliability, and continuous improvement.
Here’s to six decades of making a difference, and to the next 60 years of innovation and impact.
Watch some of Dycem's best moments
Founded in 1966, Dycem later expanded into contamination control applications after a workplace use case demonstrated how the material could remove contaminants from footwear and transfer them to the surface. In 1978, Dycem pioneered an early contamination control, supporting the evolution of reusable contamination control mats used across modern facilities.
1960
David Cecil Mills
David discovers a polymer with a particularly high coefficient of friction. The first non-slip products are developed.
1966
Dycem is Officially Established
In its earliest application, Dycem was used to hold photographic film and components in precise alignment under microscopes. The naturally tacky, non slip properties of the polymer made it ideal for stabilizing delicate materials without adhesives, clamps, or mechanical fasteners.
Early 1970s
Non-Slip Expands
The company introduces its first commercial non-slip products, including trays and coat hangers, which are sold through major retail outlets.
1974
Contamination Control
Dycem launches its first contamination control mats in response to the growth of cleanroom environments. Leveraging the particulate-retention properties of its high-tack polymer, Dycem begins supplying reusable mats for semiconductor, pharmaceutical, biotech, aerospace, and automotive industries. Over time, the range evolves from loose-laid mats into integrated flooring systems and cleanroom rollers.
1977
Dycem Limited
The company changes its name to Dycem Limited and formalizes two core divisions: non-slip products and contamination control solutions.
1984
USA
Dycem opens a dedicated office and warehouse in the United States, enabling ex-stock delivery and improved support for local distributors.
1993
ISO 9002
Dycem is awarded ISO 9002 (BS 5750) certification, reinforcing its commitment to quality, innovation, and global distributor support.
1998
Non-Slip Products
Dycem revamps its bottle and jar openers, improving accessibility for people with arthritis or reduced hand strength. These remain among the company’s most popular non-slip consumer products.
2002
New ISO
Dycem attains the updated ISO standard, recognising its ongoing focus on continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.
2002
New Brand
Dycem unveils a new corporate identity, repositioning the company within specialist markets and reflecting its expanded focus on contamination control systems.
2009
EMEA
Dycem appoints its first dedicated commercial leader for EMEA, pioneering a hybrid direct sales model that becomes foundational to European operations.
2010-2014
New Horizons
Dycem expands beyond cleanrooms into new verticals, including food manufacturing, cosmetics, nuclear facilities, and emerging technologies. This period also sees growing recognition of contamination control as a cross-industry requirement rather than a niche cleanroom category.
2012-2014
New Dycem Systems
Dycem introduces Floating Mats and Flexi systems, marking a shift toward modular, scalable contamination control products driven by customer demand and market diversification.
2013–2016
Philippines
Dycem establishes operations in the Philippines, beginning as a consultancy run from a home office. Following the 2015 acquisition by Seafox, the team transitions to a direct Dycem entity, opening its first office in Carmona before relocating to a larger site to support regional growth.
2016
Longacre
Dycem is acquired by Longacre Group, enabling global investment, risk reduction, and the next phase of commercial expansion.
2017
New US Office
The United States office relocates to Smithfield, Rhode Island, supporting expanded North American operations.
2020s
Data Centers
Data centers emerge as a strategic growth sector, validating earlier diversification efforts. Dycem begins supplying contamination control systems to critical digital infrastructure environments worldwide.
2026
Present Day
Dycem products are sold in more than 50 countries and used by many of the world’s leading corporations through a network of specialist distributors and dealers.
