E-commerce is a rapidly growing industry that is expected to continue growing at a fast pace. According to Forbes, 20.1% of retail purchases are expected to happen online by 2024, with an 8.8% growth in e-commerce sales. As more and more people shift towards online shopping, the demand for packaging also increases. However, this surge in packaging has led to environmental concerns. For instance, plastic film tapes, commonly used by most e-commerce companies, are not recyclable or repulpable. This leads to significant non-biodegradable waste in landfills, contributing to environmental pollution. Moreover, recycling plastic film tapes with paper boxes also causes deposits on a paper machine.

Fortunately, there is a solution for companies that prioritize eco-friendly objectives. Indafor’s Recycotape™, a pressure-sensitive kraft paper tape backing made from FSC® controlled fiber, allows tape manufacturers to create environmentally friendly tape products that are both recyclable and repulpable. This means consumers can confidently dispose of the box, tape, and everything else in the recycling bin without any extra effort. 

Neenah® FlexPack and Neenah® Nano backings also offer high tensile strength, flexibility, and elongation to seal products securely in oversized cartons and boxes. The tape is also more flexible, allowing it to stick better around corners, and its smooth surface enhances printability, allowing companies to brand their packaging and create a memorable unboxing experience for consumers.

“Our customers all over the world bring up sustainability and elimination of plastics as the most important topics when it comes to packaging tape product innovation. This is a strategic focus area for us, and we have the products and technical expertise to deliver the best tape solutions for our customers,” says Chris Boothby, Indafor Senior Product Manager, Tape Backings

E-commerce’s growth is undeniable, and an increased demand for packaging comes with it. However, this surge in packaging has led to environmental concerns that cannot be ignored. Fortunately, there are eco-friendly solutions available that can help companies reduce their impact on the environment. Indafor’s Recycotape™, Neenah® FlexPack, and Neenah® Nano backings are great examples of sustainable, paper-based alternatives that provide a better option for the future of e-commerce packaging. By choosing these eco-friendly solutions, companies can positively impact the environment and their bottom line, as sustainable practices are increasingly becoming the norm for consumers.

Find out more about Indafor’s extensive tape backing offering: https://indafor.com/solutions/pressure-sensitive-tape-backings/