Gummed adhesive tape: the most environmentally friendly box sealer

In their search for sustainable packaging materials, our customers often stop at the type of box or padding material. That’s already a good start! What is sometimes overlooked is that there are a lot of alternatives even to the classic plastic tape. The gummed adhesive tape is the one with the greenest fingers in this respect. You can read why this is so here.

1. A brief introduction…

A gummed adhesive tape is at once simple and innovative in design. It consists of a band of kraft paper covered with a vegetable glue layer. This adhesive layer will only start to stick when you moisten it with water. To do that, there are special adhesive tape dispensers (you will discover them later in this article).

Because the gummed adhesive tape is made of paper, it can easily be recycled together with cardboard packaging. So for consumers, no more hassle of separating and sorting packaging materials. And as we know: the easier and more one can sort, the more waste materials one can reprocess into new products.

2. The five advantages of gummed adhesive tape

What do you use an adhesive tape for? “- Well, to close a box?” That’s already correct, but we’re not quite there yet…. As you will see below, a gummed adhesive tape guarantees a lot more functions and benefits.

► Firm adhesion

Because the adhesive tape ‘fuses’ with the cardboard, it guarantees a stronger seal. One layer is usually sufficient, and this in contrast to self-adhesive tape. So chances are you can save on your total amount of tape purchased.

► Safe and inviolable

After the glue of an applied adhesive tape has dried, it is not so easy to open your box unnoticed. When you loosen the adhesive tape, it causes clearly visible cracks in the cardboard. It thus discourages attempted theft.

► Environmentally friendly

The eco-friendly argument should obviously never be missing with a gummed adhesive tape. The material itself is made of natural renewable raw materials: the adhesive layer is made of potato starch while the carrier consists of paper. After bonding, you may simply recycle the adhesive tape together with a cardboard box. Once recycled, it thus forms the basis for new products made of paper or cardboard. And it comes full circle!

However, a reinforced gummed adhesive tape still contains threads in polyester or fibreglass, making it best to sort it separately from your cardboard box.

► Aesthetically

The eye wants something too… As the adhesive band becomes one with the box, it is less conspicuous, which makes for a nicer finish. However, if you want to give your closure a personal touch, that too is perfectly possible. Gummed adhesive tape is writable and printable. Have the adhesive tape printed with your logo, for example, for more brand awareness or simply add a clever message.

► User-friendly

Packaging material should be easy to handle. And gummed adhesive tape meets that criterion too. To work smoothly, you only need one thing: an adhesive tape dispenser. It moistens the adhesive tape and automatically dispenses the correct length pieces (according to standardised measurements). So you will never use more adhesive tape than strictly necessary. The ideal saving! To ensure that no glue remains stuck to your hands, use a simple pair of gloves.

Finally, a few more versatile applications compared to plastic tapes:

• An adhesive tape sticks immediately to recycled and dusty materials.
• It is more resistant to moisture and freezing environments.
• You can store it much longer (several years for a gummed adhesive tape versus up to 6 months for traditional tapes).

3. Choosing the right adhesive tape

Choose from our range of gummed adhesive tapes below:

Standard	Standard	Reinforced	Reinforced
Quality 60 g/m2	Quality 70 g/m2	Quality 90 g/m2	Quality 130 g/m2
		With polyester threads lengthwise*	With crossed glass fibre wires**
For parcels < 5 kg	For parcels < 10 kg	For parcels < 25 kg	For parcels < 40 kg

* The reinforced polyester threads lie on top of the adhesive layer. Choose from an adhesive tape with 2, 3 or 4 polyester threads.
** The reinforced threads lie between two layers of kraft paper. They are also shorter than the 90 g/m2 version. As a result, this adhesive tape is even more resistant to tearing and external factors.

Gummed adhesive tapes are also available with a preprinted message. This way, you inform your customers about the fragile/fragile contents of their package.

4. No adhesive tape without dispenser

An adhesive tape dispenser is specially designed to facilitate the use of gummed adhesive tapes. They moisten the adhesive layer and cut the adhesive tape to the exact length you set. Choose from one of the models below:

Manual	Semi-automatic	Electric (Vario)	Electric (Lapomatic)
Weight: 1.7 kg	Weight: 9.3 kg	Weight: 15 kg	Weight: 12 kg
Adhesive tape width: 36 to 80 mm	Adhesive tape width: 20 to 100 mm	Width of adhesive tape: 40 to 80 mm	Adhesive tape width: 20 to 100 mm
		14 fixed lengths	22 fixed lengths
For standard adhesive tapes	For standard and reinforced adhesive tapes	For standard and reinforced adhesive tapes	For standard and reinforced adhesive tapes

This instructional video shows you how to use an adhesive tape dispenser:

5. Another member of the family: paper tape

Those looking for an alternative to plastic tapes have a second type to choose from besides the gummed adhesive tape: the self-adhesive paper tape. So this tape is self-adhesive which means you don’t need to moisten the adhesive layer. Just unroll it and stick it. For application, it is best to use a tape dispenser (or pistol dispenser). Common variants are these:

Finally, below we list some pros and cons compared to plastic tapes and/or gummed adhesive tapes:

Advantages	Disadvantages
► Paper tape is more environmentally friendly than plastic tape (PP or PVC): the carrier is made of kraft paper that can be recycled along with a cardboard box.	► The adhesive of a paper tape is made of hot melt or solvent. This is a tad less eco-friendly than the vegetable glue of gummed adhesive tapes. However, this does not pose a problem for the recycling of your box.
► You work completely autonomously. Unlike with gummed adhesive tapes, you are not dependent on an adhesive tape dispenser or water.	► A paper tape is best applied with a pistol dispenser. However, this can be stressful for the wrists when used for long periods. The sharp blades also carry a risk of injury. A gummed adhesive tape eliminates these risks.
► Writable (unlike plastic tapes) and printable.	► A reinforced paper tape contains glass fibre threads so it is best to sort it separately from your cardboard box.
► Can be torn off by hand (except for reinforced variants).	► The closure of a paper tape is easier to open than one made of gummed adhesive tape.
► Resistant to moisture and therefore ideal for export.