Europe’s chemical downturn puts pressure on the adhesive tape value chain

European chemical output fell 2.0% in January–July 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, according to the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic). Production of polymers declined 6.6% and other organic basic chemicals 7.0%, against a 0.5% fall in EU27 manufacturing overall. Cefic published the figures in its Chemical Trends Report on 5 October. They measure the chemicals industry, not European adhesive tape production.

Tape manufacturing relies on adhesive polymers, tackifiers, backing films and release systems sourced from different parts of the chemical industry. Reduced European production matters particularly where tapes constructions require specific, qualified material grades.

Higher sales do not mean higher demand

Chemical turnover rose 2.1% in January–June, while producer prices increased 5.1% in January–July despite falling production volumes. Cefic attributes the rise in sales value largely to prices rather than stronger demand. Its aggregate price index does not show whether individual tape inputs, such as acrylics, tackifiers, solvents and film resins, became more expensive; those markets have different supply and pricing conditions.

What Afera Members are reporting

Afera’s second annual Member Radar Survey, organised by the Association’s Marketing Committee, complements external market statistics with the experiences and expectations of companies across the European adhesive tape value chain. Presented at European Tape Week in Porto on 24 September, the 2026 survey received 49 responses from Member Companies, including tape manufacturers, raw-material suppliers and converters, compared with 41 in 2025. The findings reflect respondents’ views rather than representative market measurements or forecasts.

Price sensitivity and cost pressure remained the leading business driver, with an average impact score of 4.39 out of five. Regulatory compliance rose from fifth place in 2025 to second in 2026, scoring 4.27. Responses on compliance measures included raw-material substitution, supplier engagement and dedicated personnel.

The survey’s separate question on future competitiveness found that 46.9% selected regulatory compliance and 40.8% labour and energy cost inflation among their three leading factors for the next three to five years; 18.4% selected raw-material availability. These operating and compliance costs can constrain tape producers’ margins even where particular chemical inputs are stable or falling in price, especially when customers resist higher selling prices.

For the preceding 12 months, 44.9% of respondents perceived declining automotive demand, while 38.8% reported growth in packaging and e-commerce. Looking ahead 12–24 months, 40.8% expected growth in medical and healthcare and 38.8% in construction and building.

Capacity closures and material qualification

Cefic’s earlier Q2 report placed European chemical capacity utilisation at approximately 75%, indicating spare capacity rather than a general material shortage. A separate Cefic/Roland Berger study recorded about 37 million tonnes of European chemical production capacity announced for closure between January 2022 and December 2025, equivalent to approximately 9% of regional capacity. Petrochemicals accounted for 17.8 million tonnes and polymers for 5.4 million tonnes. The figures cover Europe, including the United Kingdom, and include closures not yet completed.

Low utilisation leaves energy-intensive chemical plants carrying high fixed costs across reduced output. European gas and electricity prices, together with global overcapacity, can weaken the case for retaining specialised production lines or investing in upgrades. When producers rationalise operations, specialist grades can disappear even while widely traded resins remain available, narrowing sourcing options for tape manufacturers.

For technical tapes, losing a qualified raw-material grade can require more than switching suppliers. Replacing an adhesive component, backing polymer or release system can affect peel adhesion, shear performance, ageing or converting behaviour. Testing and customer requalification may be necessary, with different consequences for suppliers, tape manufacturers and converters.

Trade policy and import competition

The European Commission’s July 2025 Chemicals Industry Action Plan addresses energy costs, investment and international competition. A Franco-German policy paper issued on 5 October 2026 proposed stronger trade-defence instruments and identified chemicals and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as possible areas for action. The European Council called for more effective trade measures on 16 October. None of these statements, by themselves, introduced new import restrictions.

In the survey, 75.5% of respondents expected Asia-Pacific supply into Europe to increase over the next three to five years, while 18.4% anticipated growth in local European supply. Asked to identify the main factors shaping competitiveness, 75.5% selected costs and 55.1% competition from non-E.U. imports.
The production outlook differs from the supply outlook: 51.0% of respondents expected European tape production to remain stable and 28.6% expected it to decline, while 12.2% anticipated growth. These responses concern the tape industry, not European chemical output.

PET film is used as a backing in many technical tapes, but a trade measure concerning PET resin would not automatically apply to film or finished adhesive tapes. The products covered, their tariff classifications and available alternative suppliers would determine the effect on tape manufacturers. Protection for European polymer or film producers could improve their competitive position while increasing costs for companies buying imported substrates.

Further information

Data note: Cefic uses EU27 Eurostat chemical statistics with different reporting periods. Radar findings reflect 49 responses and a changing respondent mix, not representative market totals.

Europe’s chemical downturn puts pressure on the adhesive tape value chain

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