Sustainable Production and Packaging

Products & Packaging

At tesa®, sustainability is integrated into our product development and packaging from the very earliest stages. To this end, we consider material selection, product design, and packaging concepts in close conjunction with our manufacturing processes to reduce resource consumption and waste generation, and to increase the use of recycled and more sustainable materials wherever possible. By incorporating these considerations into our processes, we strive to deliver reliable performance while supporting our customers in achieving their own sustainability goals.

 

Product Sustainability

Labelling of more sustainable products

We are constantly working to make our products and product line more sustainable. To highlight our initiatives and efforts, we classify products that we market in the industrial sector as more sustainable if they meet at least one of the following criteria: 

  1. Use of bio-based or renewable materials: In this case, the label is reserved for products that contain at least 50% paper- or natural rubber-based material in one component and 30% in the entire product. In addition, all fiber-based material must come from certified sources such as FSC® (FSC® C148769).
  2. Use of recycled material: To qualify for our sustainability label, at least one component of the product (e.g., the backing layer, the adhesive, or the substrate) must consist of at least 50% recycled material, and the total proportion in the product must be at least 30%.
  3. Use of mass-balanced material: If the proportion of a (bio-)mass-balanced material exceeds 50% relative to a single product component (such as the backing and substrate) and the proportion of the total product is at least 30%, we classify the product as sustainable. However, all (bio-)mass-balanced materials must be certified by ISCC PLUS (opens in a new window or tab) or an equivalent certification system.
  4. Recyclability: To qualify as sustainable, products must be certified as recycling-friendly or recyclable in accordance with certifications such as INGEDE Method 12 (opens in a new window or tab) or PTS-RH 021:2012.
A roll of green tesa tape spiraling around a globe.

tesa® Industry Marker

 

Since each criterion is clearly defined, the labeling provides our business customers with a reliable indication of which products are more sustainable. To make this clear, the industrial products we have qualified as sustainable can be identified by the so-called “marker.” Our consumer products use a different labeling system. Here, an information icon is used to highlight specific product features. In this way, tesa offers consumers clear guidance. 

tesa plans to make its adhesive solutions more sustainable

twHH_Environment 5 300dpi

tesa has long been recognized as a company with proven expertise in the design of adhesives and adhesive tapes. tesa will now increasingly apply this expertise to the development of more sustainable products.

On the one hand, tesa develops and manufactures adhesive solutions that are more sustainable – whether due to bio-based raw materials (such as natural rubber or paper), recycled raw materials, solvent-free production, or recyclability. Responsible sourcing of raw materials is becoming increasingly important in this context. 

On the other hand, tesa develops applications that enable its customers to make their own products and processes more sustainable. This is because bonding is becoming increasingly important: Adhesive tapes can reduce the weight of the end product, simplify assembly, dampen noise and vibrations, and improve product design. For example, bonded materials can be separated again if the adhesive tape is designed accordingly. This technology has the potential to promote the circular economy by enabling repair, rework, or recycling – for example, through simple disassembly. 

 

Product sustainability starts with the product lifecycle

Thoughtful male scientist with farm workers standing in greenhouse

The sustainability of an adhesive tape can be influenced by many factors, such as the raw materials used and how they are sourced, the production phase, the tape’s service life, and its disposal at the end of the product’s life.

However, it is usually not possible to improve all aspects of product sustainability at once – for example, because the variety of materials in our adhesive tapes, which ensure the high quality and performance of our products, cannot always be immediately replaced with more sustainable alternatives – often because these alternatives do not exist at all or are not available in the required quantities. Over time, we must continually develop new concepts and processes and work closely with suppliers and partners to advance product sustainability.

 

Bio-based and recycled raw materials

Bio-based Materials

tesa already uses bio-based or renewable raw materials, such as natural rubber or paper. Another example is natural resins, which are added – either in their pure form or in a modified state – to adhesive formulations made from rubbers, acrylates, or other polymers. 

In addition, we have replaced primary fossil-based raw materials in our production processes with recycled materials such as PET from post-consumer recycling. Products such as tesa® 60412 and tesa® 60418 consist of up to 90% recycled material. tesa is among the first manufacturers to successfully incorporate recycled post-consumer materials into woven tapes. 

We also use paper from responsibly sourced materials for backing materials and/or liners. The material for the new “tesapack® Paper Standard” (certified) paper-based adhesive tape is made from paper sourced from sustainable sources. Every year, new products are launched that build on these innovations for the industry and our end customers.

tesa supports ist customers in reaching their sustainability standards

As a specialist in the development of multifunctional tapes, tesa is a key partner to the automotive industry in its transition to e-mobility. Hundreds of high-precision products are already in successful use, with many more in the development pipeline. Key areas of application include, for example, weight-saving bonding of cells in electric vehicle batteries and the insulation of electronic components through wire harnessing.

With the development of its “Debonding on Demand” technology, tesa is setting new standards in repairability and recycling. At a time when flexibility and sustainability are becoming increasingly important, this innovation enables adhesive bonds to be broken using heat, electricity, lasers, or electromagnetic induction without damaging the materials. This technology offers new possibilities for product design, manufacturing, in-service repairs, and the recycling of manufacturing components at the end of the product life cycle.

There is already high demand for these solutions, particularly in the electronics industry. Bond & Detach® technology, which enables mechanical separation (Stretch & Release), is already used in more than 1.8 billion smartphones worldwide. 

In the automotive industry, reversible bonds simplify handling and facilitate improvements during production, which can reduce waste and conserve valuable resources. “Debonding on demand” products can also improve the recyclability of complex assemblies, such as electric vehicle batteries, by making it easier to disassemble individual components. 

tesa makes more sustainable industry solutions possible

Packaging

Advancing more sustainable packaging at tesa

Three people in red tesa jackets walk down a clean facility aisle. Machines and large rolls of tesa tape are on the left; a tesa sign is ahead.

Packaging plays a crucial role at tesa. It protects product quality during storage and transport, supports efficient logistics, and ensures a clear and appealing presentation at the point of sale. At the same time, it offers significant opportunities to reduce the environmental impact along global supply chains.

As expectations for more sustainable solutions rise, packaging must meet changing requirements and adhere to the principles of the circular economy – all without compromising performance.

tesa offers a comprehensive portfolio of adhesive solutions for consumers, retailers, and industrial applications. Every product requires packaging that preserves quality, protects against dust and damage, and simultaneously conveys a clear message to customers. Our goal is to combine reliable product protection with material efficiency and circular design.

 

Moving toward more circular materials

tesa is working to reduce the use of plastics made from non-recycled fossil raw materials and to increase the use of materials designed to be recyclable. This includes:

  • giving preference to recyclable and single-component material structures
  • incorporating recycled content whenever technically feasible
  • sourcing paper and cardboard from responsibly managed forests and certified sources such as FSC® (FSC®148769)

 

A holistic and responsible approach

Sustainability criteria such as recyclability, material efficiency, and life-cycle impacts are increasingly being incorporated into packaging development. This ensures that improvements are effective and measurable and meet customer expectations.

With this approach, tesa is taking concrete steps to make its packaging more sustainable while ensuring the high quality and reliability that our brand stands for.

 

Last updated on 3 Nov 2026