One of the foremost challenges for European packaging companies is staying informed about, engaging with, and complying with the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. The PPWR affects each part of the value chain in different ways, and the adhesive tapes sector is no exception. Sreeparna Das, sustainability communications consultant at The European Adhesive Tape Association (Afera), takes a deeper look.
The PPWR is a pivotal EU initiative that is aimed at minimising packaging waste and reducing its environmental footprint.
The regulation is guided by several overarching objectives:
- Restrict unnecessary packaging
- Promote reusable and refillable packaging
- Ensure all packaging is recyclable
- Increase the use of recycled content in packaging, particularly plastics
- Harmonise labelling of packaging to support recycling
The PPWR was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 22 January 2025 and came into force on 11 February 2025. Its general provisions will begin to apply around August 2026, although certain elements will be subject to extended transition periods.
Understanding the impact on the tape industry
The PPWR is considered one of the most complex pieces of EU regulation to date, and its requirements will fundamentally reshape packaging design across the Union. Adhesive tapes, widely used in packaging, logistics, and transport, fall under varying degrees of scope depending on their application.
At the recently concluded European Tape Week, Dr. Dennis Bankmann (Emerging Motif) provided clarity on which aspects of tapes are covered by the PPWR and the requirements that may apply to tapes (detailed in the tables 1 and 2 below).
| In scope | Not in scope | May be in scope |
|---|---|---|
|
Tapes used on packaging and tapes that constitute packaging
The packaging of tapes (e.g., wrapping film, blisters, cardboard, secondary & logistics packaging) |
Tapes used to produce packaging (i.e., the tape does not become part of the package)
Tapes used for other applications (e.g., construction, electrical, automotive) |
Tapes for the bundling of items
Tapes used for secure transport
Tape handles & protective tapes |
| Requirements expected to apply | Requirements that may apply partly | Requirements that may apply only in specific cases |
|---|---|---|
|
Compatibility with recycling Article 6
Requirements on Substances Article 5 PFAS exclusion, thresholds for heavy metals
|
Minimisation Article 10 Reduction of the overall amount of packaging |
Recycled content for plastics Article 7 Relevant if a plastic tape constitutes packaging
Compostability Article 9
Reusable transport packaging Article 29 Cardboard boxes are excluded from the scope
|
Navigating the PPWR and translating it into industry progress
For the adhesive tape industry, navigating the PPWR requires a multi-pronged approach. Key priorities include:
- Clarifying the classification of tapes and their components to determine which are considered packaging.
- Tracking the development of Design for Recycling (DfR) guidelines to ensure tape products align with recyclability standards.
- Understanding implications for the general packaging of tape products.
- Assessing the impact of PPWR on imported products, ensuring compliance across borders.
The PPWR is not simply a compliance exercise—it represents a fundamental shift toward circularity in packaging. For adhesive tapes, this means rethinking product design, materials, and end-of-life pathways. Industry stakeholders, through participation in Afera’s working groups, are actively translating regulatory frameworks into practical strategies.
Examples include:
- Advocacy against restrictive measures such as the proposed “negative list,” which was ultimately excluded from the PPWR.
- Clarification of grey areas, such as whether process films used during manufacturing or release liners should be considered packaging.
- Development of common industry positions to ensure consistency in interpretation and compliance.
- Collaboration with relevant stakeholders, and participation in CEN working groups to shape Design for Recycling guidelines.
By translating regulatory frameworks into industry-specific strategies—such as the development of Design for Recycling guidelines—the adhesive tape sector is preparing to future-proof itself against regulatory shifts. This proactive approach not only ensures compliance but also drives meaningful progress toward a more circular, competitive, and sustainable packaging landscape.
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