Herma

What Herma does

HERMA GmbH is a privately held, family-owned German manufacturer founded in 1906 and headquartered in Filderstadt near Stuttgart. The company operates a vertically integrated value chain spanning the development and production of pressure-sensitive adhesives, self-adhesive paper and film composites, finished industrial labels, and labeling machines — an end-to-end offering the company describes as globally unique. Its four business divisions are Adhesive Materials (Haftmaterial), Labels (Etiketten), Labeling Machines (Etikettiermaschinen), and Office & Home (Büro & Zuhause), supported by proprietary adhesive formulations (62Gpt, 63Mps, 63Vst, 72Hpw, 63B) and specialty products such as InNo-Liner (linerless material), HERMAvoid Checkerboard (tamper-evident), wash-off adhesives certified for PET and HDPE recycling, and Silphie plant fiber materials.

The company generates revenue across multiple streams: self-adhesive materials sold as roll stock to industrial label manufacturers and converters; custom industrial labels (printed or unprinted, in roll, sheet, or folded formats); labeling machines such as the modular HERMA 500 series; and a smaller office/home consumer line. Pricing is exclusively B2B and quote-based, with no public price list. Go-to-market is sales-led through dedicated national and international sales teams, a network of five wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries (UK, France, Austria, Netherlands/Benelux, USA), a global distributor network, and three B2B e-commerce shops (material, machines, labels) plus an online roll label configurator.

HERMA employs approximately 1,107 people across seven international locations and reported EUR 447 million in revenue for fiscal year 2025. The customer base spans industrial converters, brand owners, logistics providers (including a high-profile deployment at DHL), and regulated verticals (food, pharma, cosmetics, chemicals, automotive). The company is positioned as a European innovation leader in sustainable self-adhesive materials, with a dense certification portfolio (RecyClass, BfR XIV, FDA 21 CFR 175.105, NF T51-800, AS 5810, BS 5609, UL) and active EU PPWR readiness initiatives.

Name

Herma

Legal name

HERMA GmbH

Website

https://herma.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1906

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

HERMA is a 1906-founded, family-owned German manufacturer of self-adhesive materials, industrial labels, and labeling machines, selling through direct B2B sales and a global distributor network to industrial converters, brand owners, and logistics customers including DHL.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Self-Adhesive Materials and Industrial Labels

NAICS

Adhesive Manufacturing (325520), Stationery Product Manufacturing (32223)

SIC

Papers & Allied Products (2600)

akta.pro primary industry

Paper Labels & Paper-Based Release Liners (IMALACAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Labels & Pressure-Sensitive Materials (labelstock, PSA labels, liners) (IMAMAHAE)

Keywords

• Self-adhesive materials
• Industrial labels
• Labeling machines
• Pressure-sensitive adhesives
• Labeling solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Filderstadt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Self-Adhesive Materials (Haftmaterial): Development and production of self-adhesive paper and film composites with various adhesive properties for industrial and label manufacturers, sold as roll materials. Revenue from standard and specialty adhesive materials including sustainable options.
2. Industrial Labels: Labels for industrial applications, available as rolls, sheets, or folded formats, printed or unprinted, sold in custom specifications to converters and brand owners.
3. Labeling Machines: Sale of labeling machines and applicators including the HERMA 500 series for integration into production lines. Machines are sold as products with associated service and support.
4. Office & Home Labels: Self-adhesive labels for office printers, school products, and home use sold through online shop and retail channels.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

HERMA develops, produces, and sells self-adhesive paper and film composites with diverse adhesive properties (Haftmaterial), industrial labels in roll/sheet/folded formats (Etiketten), and labeling machines such as the HERMA 500 (Etikettiermaschinen), all manufactured in-house across one vertically integrated value chain. The portfolio spans certified sustainable materials (linerless, wash-off, compostable), tamper-evident security labels, and consumer office labels, serving industrial label converters, brand owners, logistics providers, and end-user B2B/B2C customers in more than 7 international markets.

Product overview

HERMA is a family-owned European technology company founded in 1906, headquartered in Filderstadt, Germany, operating through four core business divisions: Haftmaterial (Adhesive Materials), Etiketten (Labels), Etikettiermaschinen (Labeling Machines), and Büro & Zuhause (Office & Home products). The company operates a uniquely integrated value chain encompassing the development and production of self-adhesive paper and film composites, the manufacture of industrial and consumer labels, and the engineering of labeling machines — a vertically integrated offering uncommon in the industry. The adhesive materials division is a core pillar, providing pressure-sensitive adhesives across multiple formulations (HERMAperfectTack 62Gpt, HERMAperfectStick 63Mps, HERMAsuperTack 63Vst, and Wash-off 72Hpw), along with sustainable material innovations such as the HERMA InNo-Liner linerless solution and compostable materials certified to NF T51-800:2015. The label division serves logistics, pharma, food & beverage, chemical, and cosmetics sectors, offering custom-configured digital print roll labels via an online configurator. The labeling machines division centers on the HERMA 500 labeler platform with CleanDesign modular architecture. A key digital product is the HERMAgreenGuide interactive tool for sustainable material selection aligned with PPWR requirements. The company generated EUR 447 million in revenue in 2025 across approximately 1,107 employees and seven international locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HERMAgreenGuide / GreenGuide: Digital tool to help converters and brand owners navigate EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and select sustainable adhesive material solutions.
• HERMAvoid checkerboard (type 935)
• InNo-Liner
• HERMAshining Star (72Hpw)
• Stronger Together (Wausau X HERMA)
• Technical Partnership Service (TPS)

Products and services

• HERMA Haftmaterial (Self-Adhesive Materials) Self-adhesive paper and film composites with diverse adhesive properties for industrial and label manufacturers, supplied as standard and specialty roll materials including sustainable, recycling-compatible, wash-off, and tamper-evident options.
• HERMA Etiketten (Industrial Labels) Industrial label products for logistics, chemical, pharma, cosmetics, food & beverage, and automotive sectors, available as rolls, sheets, or folded formats, blank or fully printed, configurable and orderable online.
• HERMA Etikettiermaschinen (Labeling Machines) Labeling machines and applicators for integration into industrial packaging lines, including the modular HERMA 500 series with CleanDesign architecture serving pharma, cosmetics, logistics, food, chemicals, and engineering industries.
• HERMA Büro & Zuhause (Office & Home Labels) Self-adhesive labels and organizational products for office, home, and school use, including address labels, file spine labels, school binders, book protectors, stickers, and creative supplies.
• HERMAvoid Checkerboard (type 935) Tamper-Evident Material Tamper-proof self-adhesive material for rough transport cardboard packaging, with concealed checkerboard pattern revealed on removal to prevent label reuse, using 63B aggressive-bonding adhesive.
• GreenGuide Digital Sustainability Tool Interactive digital tool that guides converters and brand owners through sustainability criteria such as recyclability, material compatibility, and PPWR regulatory requirements to identify suitable adhesive materials.
• InNo-Liner Linerless Label Material Linerless self-adhesive label material that eliminates silicone backing waste, reducing transport volumes, disposal costs, and liner waste for shipping and logistics applications.
• HERMA 500 Labeler Modular and flexible label applicator for integration into industrial packaging and production lines, supporting top, bottom, side, wraparound, and corner labeling across pharma, cosmetics, logistics, food, and other industries.
• HERMAperfectTack (62Gpt) Permanent Adhesive Permanent acrylic-based adhesive with very high initial tack for polar and non-polar surfaces including packaging films and plastic bottles, compliant with BfR XIV and FDA 21 CFR 175.105 for food contact.
• HERMAperfectStick (63Mps) Adhesive Adhesive with extremely high initial tack for critical surfaces, optimized for high labeling speeds in cold conditions and small-diameter labeling with thin facestocks, with water, light, and aging resistance, compliant with BfR XIV and FDA 21 CFR 175.105.
• HERMAsuperTack (63Vst) Adhesive Adhesive with exceptional high tack for cool, slightly moist, or lightly greasy surfaces, with very good low-temperature performance and conformability for curved and irregular 3D packaging surfaces, compliant with BfR XIV and FDA 21 CFR 175.105.
• Wash-off Adhesive (72Hpw) Permanent adhesive certified by RecyClass for PET recycling at 80°C wash process and HDPE at 40°C cold-wash process, providing recycling compatibility for PP and PE film labels with rigid HDPE streams.
• Online Roll Label Configurator Digital configurator enabling customers to configure custom printed roll labels (size, material, finish) and place orders directly online for digital print production.

Quantifiable outcome

• DHL reduced waste by approximately 60% at its Nohra facility using HERMA InNo-Liner linerless labels
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Techlan LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2024Partnership between HERMA UK and Techlan Ltd focused on circular solutions for silicone-coated release liner waste in the UK. Over 2 years, the collaboration enabled recycling of more than 300 tons of release liner, avoided over 200 tons of CO2 emissions, and supported 17 companies in the label industry. Techlan uses a patented process to clean and restore used liner material for reuse in industrial applications.
• DHLcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDHL deployed HERMA's InNo-Liner linerless label solution at its Nohra facility in Thuringia, Germany. The InNo-Liner system eliminates backing liner waste and silicone, reducing DHL's waste volumes by approximately 60%.
• Wausau Coated ProductscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership 'Stronger Together' between Wausau Coated Products and HERMA Group. Combines Wausau's coated paper products expertise with HERMA's adhesive coating technology for wine label papers and other specialty applications.
• D.O.G. LabelminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVienna-based label specialist D.O.G. Label uses HERMA's GreenGuide digital tool to advise customers on sustainable label materials for food, pharma, and cosmetics applications. D.O.G. Label has used HERMA self-adhesive materials for many years.
• XeikonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHERMA participates as an industrial partner at Xeikon Innovation Days events (June 2026 in Lier, Belgium and Elgin, Illinois, USA), showcasing HERMA materials alongside Xeikon's new Ecolyne and Idera digital presses.
• Mail Druck + MedienminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMail Druck + Medien in Bünde, Germany hosted the first stop of Xeikon's Innovation Days On Tour event (March 26-27, 2026), where HERMA and Kurz also presented their product ranges in a live production environment.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Avery Dennison: Avery Dennison is the global leader in pressure-sensitive label materials, with a Materials Group business directly comparable to HERMA's Haftmaterial division. Both manufacture labelstock with proprietary adhesives for industrial converters, brand owners, and logistics applications; Avery Dennison operates at materially larger global scale.
• UPM Raflatac: UPM Raflatac is the label materials business of UPM-Kymmene, one of the largest global suppliers of self-adhesive labelstock for both paper and film face stocks. Directly comparable to HERMA in product portfolio, customer base (industrial converters and brand owners), and sustainability-led product strategy including RecyClass-aligned offerings.
• Lintec Corporation: Lintec is a Japanese manufacturer of pressure-sensitive adhesive materials, labels, and labeling equipment with global operations. Comparable to HERMA across all three pillars — adhesive materials, industrial labels, and labeling machines — with particular overlap in specialty adhesive formulations and tamper-evident labelstock.
• CCL Industries: CCL Industries is a global specialty label manufacturer with operations across pressure-sensitive labels, shrink sleeves, and label materials. Comparable to HERMA in serving FMCG, healthcare, and industrial end markets with self-adhesive label solutions, and overlapping in sustainable label material development.
• Fedrigoni: Fedrigoni is an Italian family-owned specialty paper and self-adhesive materials producer with strong European presence in wine, premium, and sustainable labelstocks. Directly comparable to HERMA in family ownership heritage, European specialty positioning, and wine label paper partnership with Wausau Coated Products (HERMA's "Stronger Together" partner).
• Ritrama (Spinnaker Coating): Ritrama is a European-based manufacturer of self-adhesive labelstock with comparable product portfolio to HERMA's Haftmaterial division, including paper and film facestocks with proprietary adhesives. Now operating under the Spinnaker Coating brand, it competes head-to-head with HERMA for European converter customers.
• Wausau Coated Products: Wausau Coated Products is HERMA's strategic "Stronger Together" partner and a US-based manufacturer of coated paper labelstock for wine, beverage, and specialty applications. Directly comparable in coated paper labelstock products and serves as both peer and partner for premium wine label applications.
• Constantia Flexibles: Constantia Flexibles is a European-based manufacturer of flexible packaging and labels serving FMCG and pharma end markets. Comparable to HERMA in industrial label and packaging substrate products, particularly for food and pharmaceutical applications requiring regulatory-compliant adhesive solutions.

Broad incumbents

• 3M: 3M operates a global Industrial Adhesives and Tapes division producing pressure-sensitive adhesive technologies that compete with HERMA's specialty adhesive platform. Comparable at the adhesive chemistry layer (PSA formulations, multi-layer coating), though 3M's portfolio is significantly broader including industrial tapes, healthcare adhesives, and consumer products.

Emerging players

• Taghleef Industries: Taghleef Industries is a global BOPP and other film manufacturer supplying facestock films to the self-adhesive label industry, including sustainable and compostable film options. Comparable to HERMA's film facestock strategy and emerging overlap in compostable label films for sustainable packaging applications.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookde-de.facebook.com/herma

Compliance14 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Herma