The Market for Adhesive Tape

Global demand for pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) tapes is strong with annual revenues in excess of more than $22 billion. The market for adhesive tapes in the United States is estimated to be one-fifth of the global market.

Primary types of adhesive tapes include carton-sealing, masking, medical, transparent, strapping and bundling, duct, electrical, electronic, back double-sided and adhesive transfer.

Large competitors, including 3M, Intertape Polymer Group, Tyco Adhesives, Shurtape, Avery Denison, Beiersdorf, and Nitto Denko, dominate the market but there is still considerable opportunity for niche adhesive tape companies and products. An example of a niche adhesive tape is tape that is designed for the temporary repairs of broken or cracked tailights. There are many other such niche applications that you can pursue if you start an adhesive tapes business.

Review the Competition

Well in advance of opening an adhesive tapes business in your town, it's essential to see how you will fit in the competitive landscape. We've provided the link below to help you get a list of local competitors nearby. Complete the form by entering your city, state and zip code to get a list of adhesive tapes businesses that are close by.

• Find Local Adhesive Tapes Business Competitors

Is the local market large enough to support another adhesive tapes business? If not, you had better be sure that you are doing things much better than the competition.

Talk to People Who Are Already in the Business

If you are interested in starting an adhesive tapes business, the next step is to have a conversation with someone who is in the business. If you think your local competitors will give you advice, you're being overoptimistic. The last thing they want to do is help you to be a better competitor.

Fortunately, somebody who runs an adhesive tapes business in a location that is not competitive to you may be more than happy to give you a few tips, given that you don't compete with them in their area. In fact, they are often very willing to share startup advice with you. Our estimate is that you may have to contact many business owners to find one who is willing to share his wisdom with you.

How does one quickly and easily locate an entrepreneur who is running an adhesive tapes business in a different locale who can assist you?

Easy. Find them using our link below and start calling until you are successful.

• Get In Touch With Adhesive Tapes Business Owners

Explore Franchising Options

The odds of achieving your primary goal of growing your business zoom upwards when you choose to franchise rather than going it alone.

Before starting an adhesive tapes business, you may want to check out whether buying a franchise could help you avoid common entrepreneurial mistakes.

The link below gives you access to our franchise directory so you can see if there's a franchise opportunity for you. You might even find something that points you in a completely different direction.

• Directory of Franchises

Industry Associations

If you are interested in starting an adhesive tapes business, the best source of information may be industry associations. Be sure to contact them as they will be very helpful.

We recommend:

• Pressure Sensitive Tape Council (PSTC) - PSTC's manufacturing members represent more than 90 percent of the total tape volume manufactured in North America. More than 3,500 tape products are manufactured and marketed internationally by PSTC member companies.