Switzerland-based adhesive solutions company Tesa has launched sustainable packing tapes made from 98-per-cent biodegradable material, aiming to help both the company and its customers meet sustainability objectives and reduce the use of traditional packing tapes that contribute to climate change.
Each year, consumers use up to 915 billion metres of single-use plastic packaging tape worldwide, the equivalent of the distance travelling from Earth to Mars and back, twice. The biggest contributing factor to this increase is the rise of e-commerce, particularly because we have to adapt to the pandemic and purchase our products online than in-store.
According to a study by UN trade and development experts UNCTAD, the e-commerce sector saw a “dramatic” increase of retail sales from 16 per cent to 19 per cent last year, while global e-commerce sales jumped to 4 per cent. In addition to online consumer purchases, these percentages also include B2B trade (business-to-business).
These packages delivered, tape included, can break down into microplastics that pollute our land, oceans, and rivers. In addition, most packing tapes are made with plastic-based materials made from oil, making them a non-renewable resource and not great for the environment.
According to the Swiss company, Tesa 60400, the first bio-based tape in its range, is made from polylactic acid (PLA). The bioplastic material is made from renewable plant-based sources such as corn starch, tapioca roots, and sugarcane.
In addition, the adhesive material is made from a natural-based resin, completely replacing the use of petroleum-based products.
Another sustainable product in the range is the Tesa 4713, which uses paper from well-managed, certified forests and other controlled sources (FSC C148769) and uses a natural rubber adhesive for its backing.
Tesa added that its sustainability goals will see it double its number of sustainable products in the range and source 80 per cent of materials from certified and sustainable suppliers by 2025. Furthermore, the company’s energy requirements have been sourced worldwide from renewable energy sources since last year.
The adhesive company has 48 packing tape products in its range, two so far being sustainable.
