tesa has released its tesa 51344 paper-based tear tape for shipping envelopes and boxes, which aims to improve the recyclability of board and paper waste by negating the need to separate adhesive tapes.
With a global parcel shipping volume of over 159 parcels in 2021 and an expected rise to 256 parcels in 2027, according to Statista, tesa 51344 aspires to keep adhesive tapes out of paper waste streams. Its paper backing is combined with a high-tack adhesive capable of bonding with board containing high amounts of recycled content.
Testing conducted by the Paper Technology Foundation has declared the tape to be recyclable according to PTS-RH 021:2012, meaning that it can be recycled in the same stream as the packaging material – an innovation that is expected to provide customers in the corrugated board industry with a more sustainable option to seal their packaging.
Additionally, tesa 51344 is reported to have passed several application tests with different cardboard and corrugated flute types during its development phase, resulting in strong adhesive strength and reliable opening performance. Customers can request further testing for their own specific substrates, according to tesa.
The tape is also said to be suitable for automated production lines.
“With this new product solution, we present our customers with a fully integrated and more sustainable solution for the production of packaging and cardboard shipping material,” says Frank Domann, corporate marketing director for Industrial Markets at tesa. “The development of products that help promote sustainability is a strategically important goal for tesa, and we also want to support our customers and partners in achieving their sustainability goals.
“With tesa 51344, our customers may take advantage of a more sustainable product for their manufacturing process, while at the same time we improve the ecological balance of shipping boxes or shipping envelopes.”
Essentra Tapes expanded its ECO range with its paper-based Rippatape Halo tear tape last year; and H.B. Fuller presented its Open Sesame fibre-based tear tape in an edition of the Spotlight last year.
tesa also launched its 60412 Recycled PET packaging tape last summer, with the solution anticipated to serve as a sustainable replacement for filmic tapes.
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