Important Member survey information

Afera routinely conducts surveys in order to better serve our Members in meeting their daily business challenges. The following result highlights provide an exclusive, inside view into the European adhesive tape industry, as well as an increased understanding of your fellow Member Companies:

Afera Member Company Market Trends Survey
This survey was conducted in August 2025 and presented by Brenden Drijgers (Kraton Corporation/Afera Marketing Committee) at Afera’s European Tape Week 2025. Based on his analysis, abstract, slides and transcript, these are the main takeaways:

1. Strong participation and representative sample
   41 responses were collected from 110 Afera Members, roughly half from tape manufacturers and 40 % from raw-material suppliers, with smaller shares of converters and distributors — providing a meaningful cross-section of the industry.
   
   
2. Balancing sustainability with cost pressure
   The central theme of the survey was the industry’s “balance” between advancing sustainability and coping with rising costs and import competition from outside the E.U.
   
   
3. Top market drivers
   Members rated the most influential factors on their business as (all scoring above 3 out of 5):
   • labour and energy-cost inflation
   • price sensitivity
   • competition from non-E.U. imports
   • regulatory compliance (PPWR, REACH, EUDR, CSRD)
   • raw-material availability.
     
     
4. Sustainability-focused innovation
   Technological developments are overwhelmingly aimed at sustainability compliance: product reformulation with recycled or solvent-free materials, raw-material reduction, UV-curing and waste-reduction measures.
   
   
5. Compliance investment
   Many companies have assigned FTEs or hired consultants for regulatory and sustainability reporting (ISCC+, CSRD, PCF monitoring, EUDR reporting), showing significant internal resource allocation to compliance.
   
   
6. Stable but uneven market demand
   Overall E.U. demand for PSA tapes is steady, but sectoral divergence is clear — growth in defence, medical and renewable-energy markets contrasts with stagnation or decline in automotive and consumer goods.
   
   
7. Shifting supply landscape
   E.U. production remains mostly stable but shows a mild downward trend, while Asian (APAC) supply to Europe is clearly increasing, reflecting changing global sourcing patterns.
   
   
8. Adhesive-technology transition
   Solvent-based systems are declining (especially in packaging), whereas water-based and UV-cured technologies are expanding, supported by environmental regulation and cost performance.
   
   
9. Material preferences and barriers
   Sustainable materials are preferred — recycled and paper backings lead, followed by bio-based and biodegradable — but cost remains the dominant barrier across all types. Uncertainty about recyclability and technical performance adds friction to adoption.
   
   
10. Strategic takeaway
    Sustainability is the industry’s defining driver, yet proof of performance and cost-competitiveness will determine success. As Mr Drijgers concluded: “Sustainability is driving our market, but something else is shaking it — we must deliver sustainability with proof and cost competitiveness to shape our industry’s future.”

Afera Member Strategy Survey
This survey was conducted in April 2025 in order to determine the strategic needs and priorities of Afera Member Companies as part of an industry collective. The survey was devised by the Steering Committee and later used as input into the Association’s strategy refresh. The results were presented by Melanie Ott (artimelt/Afera Steering Committee) at Afera’s European Tape Week 2025. These are the main takeaways:

1. 52 Member companies participated — a 47% response rate
   A total of 52 Members completed the survey, offering a statistically meaningful cross-section of Afera’s diverse Membership.
2. Over half of respondents were tape manufacturers
   52% of responses came from adhesive tape manufacturers, Afera’s core constituency, with additional input from Suppliers (27%), Converters (15%), and machinery manufacturers/others (6%), confirming broad value-chain coverage.
   
   
3. High loyalty: 85% of respondents have been Members for over five years
   This shows strong continuity and long-term engagement in Afera's mission and activities.
   
   
4. Afera is seen as highly relevant
   The average relevance score was 4.06 out of 5, indicating that Members find Afera’s role important for their business and sector representation.
   
   
5. Top Member priorities: standards, advocacy and market insight
   Members identified the most important functions of an industry association as:
   • Standardisation & technical guidelines (50%)
   • Advocacy & lobbying (42%)
   • Market intelligence & trends (35%)
     
     Additional key areas included regulatory updates, sustainability, and education.
     
     
6. Members want Afera to focus more on regulation, sustainability and workforce
   When asked where Afera should strengthen its support, the top-ranked areas were:
   • Regulatory developments
   • Sustainability & environmental requirements
   • Advocacy & lobbying
   • Followed by education/workforce development, networking, and market/technology trends.
     
     
7. Events and networking rated highest in satisfaction
   Members are most satisfied with Afera’s event organisation and networking (4.12/5), followed by technical working groups and communication efforts. Regulatory and advocacy services also scored well, but there’s room for more proactivity.
   
   
8. 100% of respondents are willing to support Afera activities
   Not a single respondent said “no” when asked about supporting Afera’s work. Half are already active, and 54% would be willing to contribute depending on the topic — a strong base for member-driven action.
   
   
9. Members want new services in sustainability, advocacy and training
   When asked openly what new initiatives they’d like to see, Members prioritised:
   • Sustainability & circular economy
   • Advocacy & public affairs
   • Market data and trend insight
   • Alongside training, equipment knowledge, and broader event formats.
     
     
10. Suggestions for improvement included costs, website usability and EU visibility
    While 90% of Members said current services are valuable, a few raised suggestions:
    • Reducing event costs and logistics complexity
    • Improving website structure and information findability
    • Expanding technical outreach and visibility in EU-level and international affairs.