Industry associations can play a crucial role in helping member companies overcome key challenges as they work towards meeting their sustainability goals. Afera, the European Adhesive Tape Association, in collaboration with the German Adhesives Association (IVK) and sustainability consultancy Sphera, are helping adhesive and adhesive tape manufacturers assess the sustainability of their products by developing TACK (Tape and Adhesives Calculation Kit). TACK is a web-based, user-friendly tool that enables PCF calculations following ISO 14067 and Together for Sustainability (TfS) guidelines. The initiative aims to provide a standardized, accessible, and cost-effective method for companies to assess the environmental impact of their products throughout their life cycles. By enabling accurate cradle-to-gate and cradle-to-grave assessments, TACK supports compliance with upcoming European Union regulations, such as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and the Battery Regulation, and it facilitates the creation of Digital Product Passports. 

In a one-hour webinar on this subject hosted by Sphera on March 27, Pablo Englebienne, regulatory affairs and sustainability manager at Afera, shared the industry collective's groundbreaking collaborative effort to create a comprehensive Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) calculation tool for the adhesive tapes industry. 

As the European Adhesive Tape Association, Afera is the voice for the entire supply chain, from raw material suppliers and adhesives manufacturers to tape producers, converters and research institutions. With approximately 120 members accounting for over 80% of adhesive tape manufactured in the E.U., the association recognized a critical need for a standardized approach to calculation after witnessing increasing pressure across different sectors to provide PCF values.

Afera's working group, initially challenged by limited LCA expertise, sought external guidance to navigate the complex landscape of sustainability metrics. In early 2023, Afera partnered with IVK, the German Adhesives Association, to develop a tool jointly that could calculate PCF for both adhesives and adhesive tapes. The collaborative approach was crucial, bringing together industry competitors to create a solution benefiting the entire sector.

The development process was intensive, involving weekly meetings, careful data mapping and addressing terminology differences across the industry. A key achievement was creating a tool accessible to SMEs with limited LCA expertise. Currently undergoing a third-party verification process to ensure the tool's reliability and credibility, Afera anticipates releasing the toolkit to the association’s members in the coming weeks. This represents a significant step towards standardized sustainability reporting in the adhesive tapes industry. This collaborative approach demonstrates how industry associations can drive meaningful sustainable transformation by bringing together diverse stakeholders to develop aligned, practical, accessible solutions.

Learn more about the TACK tool at afera.com/adhesive-tapes-sustainability/tack-pcf-calculation-tool.