roll of brown packing tape mounted on dispenser in industrial packaging area with conveyor belt and tools nearby

We’re on a mission to develop compostable tape. Explore our progress towards a more sustainable future.
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Quick overview

  • Compostable tapes are adhesive solutions designed to break down through biological processes using materials such as compostable films, papers, or bio-based polymers.
  • They are being developed to support waste reduction, circular material strategies, and sustainability goals while avoiding microplastic or toxic residues after degradation.
  • Compostable tape development focuses on applications such as packaging, temporary bonding, and environmentally sensitive uses where reducing waste is particularly important.
  • As part of its sustainability roadmap, tesa is researching compostable materials and technologies to support future adhesive innovations.

Compostable tape is one of many products that are part of our vision for the near future. Our commitment to sustainability is a driving principle in our operations. We engineer tapes with recycled and bio-based materials, reducing emissions by utilising renewable energy throughout our production process. In doing so, we help you meet your sustainability goals, one product at a time.

We’re excited about the potential of developing compostable tape, another example of our commitment to sustainability in both industrial and consumer markets. Read more to discover how we’re approaching this challenge.

What is compostable tape?

A large roll of adhesive tesa tape with a repeating logo pattern is mounted on a metal spindle in an industrial or manufacturing setting.

Compostable tape is developed to break down naturally through biological processes. These tapes utilize materials such as compostable films, papers or bio-based polymers. Designed to leave no microplastic or toxic residue after degradation. Compostable tape solutions ultimately lower waste, highlighting the benefit of switching to bio-based and recycled materials.

We create more sustainable products to help you achieve your zero-waste goals. No matter if you’re in the packaging, automotive, or electronics industries, we’re here to support your sustainability journey.

 

25% of the materials we used in our products and packaging were either recycled or biobased (with a goal of 70% by 2030).

Compostable tapes and adhesives: the future of our portfolio 

While we do not offer compostable tapes in our current portfolio, they remain a priority for our R&D. More sustainable tapes contribute to our circular material strategies. In a world where regulatory pressure and market expectations are increasing, sustainability is no longer optional. It is essential to uphold industry standards and create a better future for our planet. 

Tapes may be small in size, but their environmental impact is unquestioned. That is why our long-term strategy is to use only 100% sustainable raw materials. By 2030, our goal is to use 70% bio-based or recycled materials and reduce our use of non-recycled plastics by 50%.

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Advancing compostable tape solutions for a circular future

Best for: Compostable tapes are being developed for applications that aim to reduce waste and support circular material strategies. They are intended for packaging, temporary bonding, and environmentally sensitive applications where compostability, bio-based materials, and lower environmental impact are key considerations.

Why they perform

  • Designed to break down through biological processes
  • Based on compostable films, papers, or bio-based polymers
  • Aim to leave no microplastic or toxic residue after degradation
  • Support circular material strategies
  • Help reduce waste and environmental impact
  • Aligned with long-term sustainability goals

Typical applications

  • Packaging solutions
  • Temporary bonding applications
  • Environmentally sensitive applications
  • Automotive sustainability initiatives
  • Electronics sustainability initiatives

Performance takeaway: Compostable tape development supports the goal of creating future adhesive solutions that contribute to circularity, waste reduction, and more sustainable material use.

We’re emerging at the forefront of industrial compostable tape development

Compostable tape is an innovative step in shrinking our environmental footprint. To make this possible, we have been evaluating materials such as cellulose, paper and starch-based adhesives. By understanding their compostability, we can make informed choices for product development. This brings our team a step closer to creating compostable tape that meets our industrial-grade standards.

Compostable tape is especially relevant in packing, temporary bonding, and environmentally sensitive applications. These applications often have a shorter lifetime, making it even more important to find sustainable product solutions to cut down on waste. By design, packing tape needs to be removable so packages can be opened, which results in significant waste if the tape isn’t recycling-friendly. 

While we’ve already developed a recycling-friendly paper packaging tape, compostable solutions could cut waste further. According to the Global Waste Index 2025 (opens in a new window or tab), the United States and Canada generate 1,645 kg of waste per capita each year, with only 29% of it being recycled. Almost all the remaining percentage ends up in landfill or incineration. 

Man sealing a box with tesa® 60408 packing tape

Compostables could help reduce the environmental impact of waste production through proper management. Industrial composting is more effective than placing compostable products in landfills. These controlled units maintain ideal aerobic conditions, preventing methane production. Through this process, compostable materials break down naturally while avoiding the harmful gases that would otherwise be released in landfills.

Robot manufacturing a smartphone, bonding individual components with tesa removable tape.

In the electronics industry, our removable tapes enable easier repair and recycling. This helps to reduce the environmental impact of short-lived devices. While not compostable, these tapes offer residue-free bonding for efficient disassembly and recycling. By adopting a circular waste solution, we can reduce the volume of old technology piling up in landfills, much like our plans for compostable tape.

We've had 125 years to perfect our tapes

man in suit inspecting tools and materials in industrial warehouse with tesa branded tape and cardboard box in foreground

Our 125 years of experience is our foundation for compostable tape development. We use our expertise to improve existing solutions. This includes updating products such as tesa® 60412 tape, which now contains 90% recycled plastic, despite originally entering the market at 70% PCR plastic. A great example of how we continue to innovate existing products, never settling for less than our potential.

We reduced the CO₂ emissions in our tesa® 4965 double-sided tape by 40%

We continuously prove our products don’t have to be broken to be improved. Our trusted double-sided tesa® 4965 tape has been updated since its creation 40 years ago, with a 40% reduction in CO₂ emissions. Our team implemented a biomass balance approach to develop the tape with 90% post-consumer recycled PET backing. This allows us to maintain the quality our customers expect while reducing our carbon footprint.

Although we know our products inside out, there is always more to learn from those who use them. We collaborate with customers to understand what products they need to work more efficiently. By doing this, we can focus our energy on products which will make the most real-world impact on performance and sustainability.

We’re working hard to make our compostable tape a reality. In the meantime, we offer a range of products with our sustainability marker that can help you make a conscious, science-backed choice for the future of our planet.

Curious to hear how our years of experience in product innovation could benefit your business?

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Let’s meet your sustainability goals together!

Discover how our existing eco-conscious solutions can contribute to your sustainability and performance goals. Contact us today.

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Heading towards a more sustainable future
with compostable tape

We’re not just committed to a more sustainable future; we’re transparent about our progress. Our annual sustainability report is public to keep our suppliers and shareholders accountable while ensuring our customers remain fully informed.

In developing compostable tape, we must completely reevaluate our value chains and technologies. This represents an exciting challenge, positioning us at the forefront of sustainable innovations. Rather than sitting back, we are taking the initiative to engineer the change towards sustainability.

Being early in that transformation of the sustainability journey, we are facing a bit more challenges than others who are following. So we completely develop new value chains. We completely develop new technologies to get there.
Dr. Ingrid Sebald, Board Member Technology, tesa
Interview_Ingrid Sebald_Sustainability 2025_1

Compostable tapes FAQs

Compostable tape provides businesses with a tape solution designed to support more sustainable packaging approaches while maintaining the functionality required for packaging applications. It allows companies to consider environmental factors when selecting tape solutions for their processes.

Whether paper tape is compostable depends on the specific tape construction, including the backing material and adhesive system used. Compostable tape solutions are developed with specific materials and properties to meet compostability requirements.

Compostable packing tape helps businesses looking for packaging solutions that align with sustainability objectives. It is designed for packaging applications where companies want to consider compostability alongside reliable tape performance.

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Last updated on Aug 28, 2026