Seam Tapes Market - By Material Type (Polyurethane [PU] Tapes, Polyvinyl Chloride [PVC] Tapes, Thermoplastic Polyurethane [TPU] Tapes), By Application (Waterproofing, Woven Fabrics, Non-woven Fabrics), By End Use Industry & Forecast, 2024 – 2032

Seam Tapes Market Size

Seam Tapes Market was valued at USD 145 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of over 8% between 2024 & 2032. Seam tapes are characterized by their light weight and adhesive nature. It is used with high-performance sportswear such as athletes clothing, waterproof swimming costume, and footwear. It is designed to offer maximum comfort and durability.
 

According to the 2023 Topline Participation Report published by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), there was a notable shift in sports participation between 2019-2022. During this period, participation in surfing and snowshoeing increased by 25% and 12%, respectively. These sports actively incorporate seam tape in their performance gear and the rising participation is expected to boost the demand for seam tapes.
 

Seam tape plays a crucial role in the aerospace industry as refurbishment of galley, HVAC duct work, insulation blankets, lavatories, manufacturing, and masking solutions. This tape meets all the requirements for high pressure usability and is useful for passenger comfort. The seam tape passes the flammability test and can withstand various temperature ranges. Additionally, its light weight helps with optimum fuel consumption. Owing to its numerous applications, seam tapes are beneficial for the aerospace industry. The expanding aerospace & defense industry is anticipated to lead to a rise in the demand for seam tapes.

Materials, such as silicone-coated nylon (silnylon) and silicone-coated polyester (silpoly) materials, are used for tents, which are not sealed by the Polyurethane (PU) seam tape. Therefore, the seam sealing kit of pre-mixed silicone solution is used for sealing tampered tents. This alternative solution hampers the market.
 

Technologies, including ultrasonic welding, have emerged as an alternative for seam tapes. These technologies offer permanent solutions to the automotive & aerospace industries. Furthermore, the application of seam tapes is complicated, necessitating maintenance. Using tape requires a lot of monitoring and control. The applicator must be clean, and the adhesive should be applied evenly. All these reasons constrain the usage of the seam tape market.
 

Seam Tapes Market Trends

Antibacterial seam tape is an emerging product in the market. The healthcare sector requires tapes for variety of purposes such as for wearable technologies, diagnostic films & tapes, mesh & membranes, single coated non-woven & woven tapes, etc. With the new antibacterial property, the tape becomes a suitable option for healthcare usage. Additionally, this antibacterial seam tape is used for sealing the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kit of staff. For instance, in 2021, Hagihara Industries Inc. launched antibacterial adhesive tape.
 

Further, self-adhesive tapes are a trending product in the market as wearable technology is booming, which requires self-adhesion, and such types of tapes are in demand. The tape can withstand diverse environmental conditions and offers sustainability by being recyclable and repairable. Additionally, the sizes and shapes of the tapes can be customized according to customer expectations. All these benefits are attracting customers and boosting the product.
 

The seam reinforcement tapes are becoming popular in the apparel industry as they add to the aesthetic look of clothes without compromising the texture, flexibility, and weight. It offers comfort to the wearer, is stretchable, as well as durable. Its usage enables more efficient, flexible, and faster manufacturing of clothes. Companies are launching this category of tapes to offer suitable products to apparel manufacturers. For instance, in August 2021, Bemis Associates Inc. introduced a two-layer seam reinforcement tape with apparel construction technique called Ultrasonic Line Bond (USLB).
 

Seam Tapes Market Analysis

Based on application, the market is divided into waterproofing, woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, and others. The waterproofing segment is expected to reach a value of over USD 120.38 billion by 2032.
 

• Waterproof seam tape makes it very easy to seal all types of products including tents, leather goods, outerwear, and footwear. It offers convenience with peel-and-stick usability. In tents, automotives, and electronics, it acts as a water sealer, providing a watertight solution. Holes in the ordinary waterproof jackets cannot be sealed with the sewing machine due to the fabric sensitivity. In this case, waterproof seam tapes serve the purpose of blocking the hole without stitching the fabric. For instance, in June 2023, Fosroc, Inc. launched a new waterproof seam tape called ‘Polyurea WH 100’. The hand-applied application of the product makes it suitable for a variety of applications such as flat roof sealing application.
   
• Seam tape for woven fabric is famous in the fashion industry as it offers flexibility to fashion designers. Its warp and fray prevention features, along with its soft texture, make it suitable for curved areas on clothes. Two-way stretch and fusibility characteristics are perfect for woven fabrics.
   

Based on end use, the seam tapes market is divided into apparel & footwear, healthcare, automotive, military & aerospace, and others. The healthcare segment is the fastest growing segment with a CAGR of over 9.5% between 2024 and 2032.
 

• In the medical field, seam tape is used to provide airtight seals by closing seams on protective gowns of patients and medical staff. It is essential for sealing PPE kits, surgical gowns, and surgical drapes, as it can withstand high temperatures and medical washing processes. For instance, in July 2020, Loyal Textile Mills Limited launched Viral Shield, a line of COVID-19 antiviral & reusable PPE, using heat-sealing Polyurethane (PU) tapes to seal the seams. This was done in collaboration with Reliance Industries and HeiQ.
   
• Automotive manufacturers are increasingly adopting seam tape solutions to optimize their manufacturing time. Seam tapes are ideal for car dashboards, providing vibration and sound insulation. They also play a crucial role in sealing both passenger and driver seats. Additionally, seam tapes are used in automotive interiors for noise reduction, as they absorb and block the noise generated inside the vehicle.
   

North America is expected to account for over 35% of the market share in 2023 in the global market reaching over USD 100 billion by 2032. According to the Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report published by Kampgrounds of America, in North America, the campaign and tent usage had gone up by 56%, reaching 9.8 million households out of approximately 53.6 million in 2023. The rising use of tents increases the demand for seam tapes, along with various other factors contributing to their increased sales.
 

China is the world’s largest PPE manufacturer and experiences a high demand for PPE products from all over the globe. This rising usage of the PPE kit will ultimately lead to the rising demand for seam tapes.
 

Japan's seam tapes market is advancing steadily, characterized by its robust automotive industry. Seam tapes contribute to the automotive industry for sealing & bonding purposes. They are also useful for vehicle interiors and exteriors for waterproofing and reinforcement, aligning with Japan's strong automotive sector.
 

Latin America is witnessing slow and steady growth in the market. The growth in the market is driven by the expansion of the automotive and textile industries. Companies are investing in Latin America due to the favorable environment. For instance, in March 2024, Stellantis announced an investment of USD 30 Billion in South America, making it the largest investment in the automotive industry of Latin America. Rising investment in the automotive sector leads to an increase in the demand for seam tape.
 

Seam Tapes Market Share

Bemis Associates Inc., a leading manufacturer of thermoplastic films tapes, and adhesives for bonding, holds a significant market share of over 15%. As the key players are growing steadily, the company is planning to expand its business by acquiring the small companies. For instance, in May 2022, Bemis Associates Inc. acquired Protechnic, a France-based company. This acquisition allowed the company to produce new & exciting products and expand its business in regions such as in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. The companies are investing in R&D to offer new products to customers. Since customers come from different industries, manufacturers are focusing on customizing their products to meet specific customer requirements.
 

Some of the other major players in the market are Adhesive Films, Inc., Ardmel Group, Bostik SA, Compass Textiles, Ding Zing, Essentra, Framis Italia, GCP Applied Technologies, and Gerlinger Industries.
 

Seam Tapes Market Companies

Major players operating in the seam tapes industry are:

• Bemis Associates Inc.
• 3M
• Sealon
• Himel Corp
• Sattler SUN-TEX GmbH
• Loxy AS
• Traxx Corporation
   

Seam Tapes Industry News

• In April 2022, 3M collaborated with Innovative Automation Inc., a high-quality integrator automation systems provider. The main motive of the integration was to offer industrial manufacturers an automated solution for tape applications, which require precision, high output, and repeatability. After the collaboration, industrial manufacturers took advantage of the benefits of 3M Tape by using RoboTape System in their assembly processes while improving quality, maximizing production throughput, reducing manual labor and limiting rework.
   

The seam tapes market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecasts in terms of revenue (USD million) from 2021 to 2032, for the following segments:

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Market, By Material Type

• Polyurethane (PU) tapes
• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) tapes
• Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) tapes
• Others

Market, By Application

• Waterproofing
• Woven fabrics
• Non-woven fabrics
• Others

Market, By End Use Industry

• Apparel & footwear
• Healthcare
• Automotive
• Military & aerospace
• Others

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • ANZ
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• MEA
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Rest of MEA