PUBLISHER: Mordor Intelligence | PRODUCT CODE: 2125597
PUBLISHER: Mordor Intelligence | PRODUCT CODE: 2125597
According to Mordor Intelligence, the North America packaging tapes market size is estimated at USD 8.01 billion in 2026, and is expected to reach USD 10.18 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 4.92% during the forecast period (2026-2031).

This report is Segmented by Material Type (Plastic and Paper), Adhesive Type (Acrylic, Hot-Melt, Rubber-Based, and Others), End-User Industry (E-Commerce, Food and Beverage Industry, Retail Industry, and Others), and Geography (United States, Canada, and Mexico). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).
Automation is ratcheting up tape consumption per carton sealed. Amazon's 2024 warehouse expansion added additional capacity equipped with case sealers that process boxes at a steady rate, each requiring hot-melt tapes that deliver instant grab. Fulfillment providers consolidate inventory into fewer, larger hubs, raising average throughput and ensuring the packaging tapes market continues to expand even if e-commerce penetration levels off. Robotics eliminates manual dwell time, favoring adhesives that bond in under one second, while level-wound rolls support uninterrupted runs on high-speed equipment. Because downtime costs can be high, operators willingly pay premiums for splice-free, automation-grade tapes that guarantee process reliability.
In response to FDA 21 CFR 175.105 and Canada's CFIA regulations, there's a heightened demand for proof that adhesives won't leach into food. This push has nudged buyers towards opting for water-based acrylics or water-activated chemistries on kraft backings. Despite these tapes commanding a price premium, food and beverage brands are willing to absorb the extra cost to safeguard their export certifications. Henkel's AQUENCE PS range, boasting food contact certification, is now penetrating beverage and chilled-food sectors, where a low-temperature tack is essential. With PFAS restrictions tightening, 3M is set to completely withdraw from that chemical class by the close of 2025, necessitating a reformulation of its legacy products. Retailers, aligning supplier scorecards with ESG metrics, view paper tapes as an efficient solution to reduce plastic usage and sidestep EPR fees, positioning them as pivotal players in reshaping the packaging tapes landscape.
In 2024, spot propylene prices fluctuated across Gulf Coast hubs. This volatility led to a reduction of BOPP margins within a single quarter. Similarly, rubber raw materials experienced price swings, largely attributed to weather disruptions in Southeast Asia. While larger manufacturers can hedge against these fluctuations using multi-year contracts, regional converters often lack this advantage. As a result, they are compelled to pass on the volatility to buyers, albeit with a delay. This delay strains their relationships with high-volume retailers, who typically budget for annual tape costs months in advance. Consequently, even as the packaging tapes market sees a rise in volume, spikes in feedstock prices dampen profit expectations.
Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:
For complete list of drivers and restraints, kindly check the Table Of Contents.
Paper tapes are forecast to rise 5.61% CAGR through 2031, eclipsing overall packaging tapes market growth as brands target substrates that move seamlessly through recycling mills. Plastic grades retained 77.11% of 2025 revenue because BOPP resists humidity and maintains tensile strength in export shipments, yet national retailers have committed to eliminating unrecyclable components by 2030. These pledges allow paper variants to cannibalize low-risk SKUs, especially in e-commerce channels where tape visibility also supports branding.
Kraft backings paired with water-activated adhesives seal fiber-based cartons without contaminating paper streams, making them a preferred option in states that impose EPR fees. Reinforced paper tape closes historical strength gaps, enabling paper to secure medium-duty loads previously reserved for plastic. Conversely, frozen food and cross-continent routes still demand plastic grades that withstand extreme temperatures. Adhesive formulators respond by tailoring tack to recycled corrugate, ensuring both substrates retain their share in their respective niches as the packaging tapes market diversifies.