
The price is deceptive: when it comes to adhesive tape, it's performance that counts, not the cent amount.
Price question adhesive tape: What's really in it?
An adhesive tape is not just a tape. At first glance, products may look similar, but in practice, quality is the deciding factor between smooth processes and expensive production stops. Find out here why a higher price is worthwhile, what differences really count and how to find the right solution for your application.
What looks the same at first glance can mean the difference between a smooth process and an expensive production stop in everyday life
If adhesive tape doesn't hold, it gets really expensive. Machines come to a standstill. Delivery deadlines are cancelled. Complaints pile up.
That's why adhesive tape is not "just a tape" - it is often a decisive factor for quality, safety and smooth processes.
Time and again we hear statements like: "It's just a tape - why is it so expensive?"
The answer is simple - if you know what's important. This is because supposedly identical products can differ massively in crucial details. And you will notice these differences at the latest when the belt does not hold - or it turns out in the middle of the process that it is not suitable for your application at all.
The price difference of 60 % does not arise out of nothing, but from tangible performance and quality features. Find out which ones here.
What is really in the adhesive tape?
Backing material - the basis for stability and durability
The foundation of an adhesive tape determines how reliably it works. Whether it's a sturdy film or simple paper fleece - the material determines moisture resistance, tear resistance and workability.
Example: Our high-performance tape 222 is based on a robust PET film. This ensures outstanding cutting properties, excellent stability in use and gives the product a high tear resistance.
Important: Non-woven paper tapes are by no means superfluous. If you want to process the tape by hand and tear it easily, you are often better off with a non-woven paper backing. Sometimes less is more - the decisive factor is that the tape is suitable for the application.
Adhesive technology - invisible but crucial differences
Not all adhesives are the same. Modified acrylate adhesives hold reliably even under heat and cold and for years. Inexpensive rubber hotmelts are cheaper to produce, but lose performance at high temperatures or during prolonged storage.
Wherever it matters, we rely on modified solvent acrylate - for a long-lasting adhesive effect, even under difficult conditions. Inexpensive alternatives often use simple rubber adhesives, which are cheaper but quickly reach their limits in terms of temperature and ageing resistance.
For certain products, we deliberately use other systems (polymer acrylate or pure solvent acrylate). Modified acrylates are altered with resins - this reduces temperature resistance and UV stability, but at the same time increases adhesion, initial tack and adhesion to difficult, low-energy surfaces (LSE).
Origin & quality assurance - predictable safety
Short distances, strict quality controls, guaranteed delivery reliability - that's why we mainly rely on German production. We manufacture 100% of our stamped parts in Germany to ensure maximum precision, fast response times and absolute reliability.
Another advantage: sustainability. In Europe, we work with modern solvent recovery systems that are state-of-the-art in terms of energy and environmental technology. In Asia, on the other hand, solvents are often still simply dried off - with direct release into the ambient air. This explains why Asian systems work more favourably, but have a negative impact on the environment and health.
Tape thickness & adhesive quantity - more material is not always better
210 µm adhesive mass can offer a high level of safety for critical surfaces - as with our 222P02B. However, the amount of adhesive alone does not determine the performance.
The more adhesive is applied, the lower the cohesion (the internal strength of the adhesive) can be. Too much adhesive can mean that a product still does not work reliably in the end.
On rough or textured surfaces, however, a certain amount of adhesive is essential. This is the only way the adhesive can penetrate the unevenness and anchor itself there. The trick is to find the right balance.
Practical example: When time pressure does not allow for compromises
A customer urgently needed an adhesive tape with approval for indirect food contact. They had bad experiences with non-woven paper products - and time was of the essence.
Our recommendation: Premium adhesive tape 222P02B - tested, immediately available, guaranteed safe. The result: production reliability, zero complaints, on-time delivery.
Price is just a number - performance is key
Don't compare apples with pears. The decisive factor is not the cent amount per running metre, but:
- Production reliability
- Avoidance of complaints
- Product protection
- A good feeling on delivery
But we wouldn't be FIXUM if we couldn't do more: We are happy to examine alternatives. Customised and tailored to your application.
This is how we find the best solution together
Simply send us an enquiry:
- A picture of your application
- Information on loads at the bonding point
- Data sheet of the comparative product (anonymised if required)
- Sample parts - we test in advance at our premises
FIXUM - connecting materials.
We advise you before it gets expensive and a good bonding process should not be a matter of chance.
Talk to us before it sticks - or not: +49 (2631) 947 46 0