With more than 160 years of heritage and over four decades of close collaboration with the adhesive tapes sector, Synthomer has grown into a global leader in specialty polymers. From water-based PSAs and tackifier resins to release coatings and tape saturants, the company’s Adhesive Solutions business unit is shaping the future of tapes through innovation, sustainability and customer partnership.
With roots dating back to 1863, Synthomer has never stopped transforming. Over the decades the company has evolved from a diversified chemical enterprise into a global specialist in polymer solutions, becoming ever more focused, specialised and international. Guided by its purpose of creating innovative and sustainable solutions for the benefit of customers and society, Synthomer today employs 3,900 people across Europe, the U.S., the Middle East and Asia. Its operations span 29 manufacturing sites and four innovation centres of excellence. Headquartered and listed in London, Synthomer has been a constituent of the FTSE4Good index for a decade. In 2023, the company reported revenues of £2.0 billion and EBITDA of £147 million.
A trusted partner to the adhesive tapes industry
Synthomer has been a trusted supplier of specialty polymers to the adhesive tape industry since the 1980s. What began with close collaboration to meet specific requirements quickly evolved into a best-practice approach for developing tailored solutions that support both manufacturing efficiency and business success.
The company’s comprehensive portfolio includes tape saturants, backside release coatings, water-based pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs), as well as tackifier resins and dispersions – covering the essential components for PSA tapes. With a globally connected network of commercial and technical experts, Synthomer engages closely with its customers, providing dedicated support and fostering collaboration to accelerate innovation.
Products and facilities
Synthomer’s Adhesive Solutions business has world-leading expertise in advanced tapes, labels, packaging, sealants and glues. With a robust manufacturing footprint across Europe, Asia and North America, the company produces tackifier resins, water-based PSAs and other key components for packaging, masking and specialty tapes. This global network ensures proximity to customers and enhances supply chain reliability.
Competitive edge
What sets Synthomer apart is its focus on close collaboration. Through tailored product development, exclusive partnerships and dedicated technical and commercial support, Synthomer works to remain aligned with customer needs. The company delivers not only high-performance products but also solutions that enable meaningful sustainability improvements.
Market evolution and trends
Over the past five years, the European tape market has undergone significant transformation, particularly in packaging and adhesive applications. Drivers include technological innovation, evolving sustainability requirements and changing consumer behaviour. The boom in e-commerce has increased demand for packaging tapes, while sustainability has become a central priority under the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan.
At the same time, technological advancements are reshaping performance expectations, with demand growing for UV-resistant, tamper-evident and antistatic tapes. Looking ahead, sustainability in all its dimensions will continue to be the strongest driver of innovation – from the use of less hazardous raw materials and energy-efficient coating technologies to enabling recyclability and lowering the carbon footprint of end products.
Evolution of the business
In recent years, Synthomer has evolved from a company focused primarily on water-based specialty chemicals to a broader supplier of diverse chemistries for tape applications. By expanding its portfolio and putting sustainability at the heart of innovation, Synthomer is focusing on what it believes will be the future of adhesives.
Engagement with Afera
Synthomer’s first involvement with Afera came in 2002 when it joined the Association as the former Polymer Latex. Since then, the company has found valuable benefits in engaging with the tape industry, gaining insight into shared challenges and key drivers of change.
The regulatory affairs activities around the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), microplastics and the European Green Deal provide essential guidance and highlight opportunities where Synthomer’s technologies can outperform alternatives. At the same time, Afera’s sustainability workstreams – from the white paper to tools such as TACK – have proved highly relevant, helping the company to quantify the positive impact of its innovations on final tape products.
Innovation and sustainability at the core
Synthomer’s commitment to innovation and sustainability drives its growth. Around 20% of its sales volumes come from new and patent-protected products, and in 2023, 64% of new launches had defined sustainability benefits. The company’s 2030 decarbonisation targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), aligned with the Paris Agreement’s climate goals. Synthomer also holds a CDP climate score of A- and an EcoVadis CSR silver rating.
Operating under ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 certifications in the U.K., Germany, Czech Republic and France, and with ISCC Plus sustainability certification, Synthomer demonstrates strong commitment to environmental and social responsibility.
By combining technical expertise, customer collaboration and a strong sustainability agenda, Synthomer continues to supply the adhesives and tapes industry with the materials that make products perform – and a planet that can keep performing too.
Synthomer is a Gold Sponsor of Afera European Tape Week 2025. For more information, visit https://afera.com/find-a-member/find-a-member/synthomer-deutschland-gmbh.html.