Industrial tapes are used for various applications like adhesive bonding, thread sealing, masking, wrapping, electrical insulation, and ESD control. Adhesive tapes are used for joining materials.  

Products can be damaged during shipping. Hence using the perfect packaging tape is very crucial to guard the products against damage. Not only against physical damage, but packaging tapes also protect products against contamination. If food is exposed to germs or bacteria, it becomes inedible or sometimes even poisonous for consumption. Adding to that, if exposed or got in the wrong hands, industrial chemicals could cause potential harm to those who are close contact with the packet. Therefore, it is extremely important to seal the shipping units properly. And the best way to do this is by using proper packaging tape.  

The global sealing and strapping packaging tapes valued at USD 17.7 billion in 2020 are projected to grow at a CAGR of 5% during the forecast period 2021-2026 to reach a value of USD 23.7 billion 2026. 

The growth is driven by increasing demand for protective clothing and accessories like military, surgical/medical, and chemical protective clothing. The rising number of food and beverage and electronic manufacturers witnessing an increased growth have also increased demand for packaging tapes. 

Types of packaging tapes 

There are numerous types of packaging available, so choosing the right tape is confusing and challenging. One needs a proper understanding of factors such as the location where the package is sent, in-depth knowledge of sealing tape to identify if it can withstand certain conditions like temperature fluctuations. Based on adhesive-type the sealing and packaging tapes are classified as acrylic, rubber and silicone-based.  

Acrylic Packing Tape 

Acrylic packaging tape is an excellent choice for corrugated boxes. It is entirely transparent and offers higher clarity, outstanding UV resistance and works phenomenally in extreme temperatures. Acrylic tapes are commonly referred to as “box tape” or “carton sealing tape”. 

Water-activated paper tape 

It is generally produced natural craft paper. When activated with water, it penetrates the carton material forming a permanent bond. It is difficult to remove and leaves an obvious sign of tampering. It can maintain its property in extreme cold, heat, light, and humidity. 

Natural Rubber Industrial Tape 

It is an incredible element for broad surfaces and for packages that will face extreme temperatures. They are costlier than box-sealing tapes but offer superior resistance to salt water, alkalis, diluted acids and the regular wear and tear that comes with time. 

Duct Tape 

It was first introduced in the HVAC industry due to its property of versatility and sheer heat resistance. Duct tape is acrylic tape and can be manipulated based on the selection of monomers. It offers high transparency and does not yellow with age. It is best used for long-term, outdoor application. 

Strapping Tape 

It is best used for securing pallets for shipment. It is constructed using fibreglass filament that is embedded into the adhesives. Strapping tape is resistant to tears, scuffing, splitting and provides tensile strengths ranging from 100lbs to 600lbs per inch of width. 

Market Trends 

The increasing shift towards e-commerce is expected to drive the demand for sealing and packaging tapes. Earlier in physical stores, supply chain products were shipped through palatized loads in bulk that made use of automated packaging equipment. However, in e-commerce, the distribution is manual, making the sealing of cartons a ready-to-use solution for sealing heavy boxes and bundling unpacked products. 

 Major players in this industry are 3M, Tesa, Avery Dennison Corporation, Nitto Denko Corporation and many more.  

Asia Pacific region is expected to hold a significant share due growth of logistics in this region. The Indian e-commerce market is expected to grow to USD 200 Billion by 2026 and have a market penetration of 12% as compared to the current 2%. 

Such instances indicate that the market for Industrial packaging is set to grow in the coming years.