Microplastics REACH Restriction

Adhesive tapes typically consist of continuous coatings or adhesive layers applied to film, paper or textile backings. Adhesive tapes that contain microplastic components (e.g. certain polymeric additives or plastic microbeads intentionally incorporated into products to fulfil a particular function, such as controlled release, encapsulation, viscosity adjustment, or friction reduction) could fall under the scope of this restriction. Microplastics can be present in acrylic-based adhesives containing synthetic polymers, in release liners with silicone coatings that include microplastic additives, and in backing films made from microplastic-rich formulations, such as some PVC or PET-based tapes.

 

The restriction significantly affects industries that manufacture or use synthetic polymer particles.