What Afera does

Afera (The European Adhesive Tape Association) is a non-profit trade association (vereniging) established in 1958 in Paris and headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands since 1999, operating as the pan-European voice of the pressure-sensitive adhesive tape value chain. Its 115+ members across 20 European countries span tape manufacturers (3M, tesa, Nitto, Henkel, Avery Dennison), raw material suppliers (BASF, Dow, Synthomer, H.B. Fuller, Evonik), converters, national tape associations, and research institutions such as Fraunhofer IFAM. Core offerings are organised across four pillars: Technical Centre (the annually updated 150-page Afera Test Methods Manual harmonising against CEN, ISO and PSTC; the inaugural AWA-co-developed European Pressure-Sensitive Tape Market Report 2025); Regulatory Affairs (interpretation and collective advocacy on PPWR, REACH, EUDR, CSRD, CS3D, Green Claims Directive and microplastics); Sustainability (the Afera Flagship Sustainability Project and the TACK web-based PCF calculator launched May 2025 with IVK and Sphera, verified by DEKRA); and Networking/Events (European Tape Week, Tape College, Annual Conference, Technical Seminar). The Secretariat is run by Lejeune Association Management under a 1-10 staff model.

Afera's revenue is generated through three streams: annual membership fees across five membership classes (Active, Associated, Converter, Affiliated, Honorary), event sponsorship and advertising (€1,500 per half-year newsletter ad; €1,500 per full-year website ad; European Tape Week Platinum/Gold packages and building blocks; market-report Supporter packages), and TACK licensing (€5,000 one-time development fee plus annual licensing for Afera/IVK members, with multi-year terms and discounted pricing for existing Sphera LCA Calculator licensees). Member recruitment is community-led via the Marketing Committee's Member Recruitment Working Group, with onboarding requiring Steering Committee approval within 30 days. Distribution is direct and field-based, complemented by a members-only portal (login-gated publications, contacts, events and tools) and a self-serve TACK platform. Afera's go-to-market is fundamentally community-led growth anchored on flagship events (European Tape Week gathering 200+ senior decision-makers), committee participation, sustainability project engagement, and regulatory representation before ECHA, the European Commission, CEN and other bodies.

Name

Afera

Legal name

Afera (The European Adhesive Tape Association)

Website

https://afera.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Afera is a non-profit trade association serving 115+ members across 20 European countries in the pressure-sensitive adhesive tape value chain, delivering technical standardisation, EU regulatory advocacy, sustainability tooling (TACK PCF calculator), market intelligence, and flagship networking events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

The Hague

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Annual membership fees charged across five membership categories: Active Members (adhesive tape manufacturers with European coating facilities), Associated Members (raw materials, machines, packaging suppliers), Converter Members (non-coating converters/specialty die cutters), Affiliated Members (national tape associations, institutions/universities), and Honorary Members. Fees vary by class and are detailed in the annual Afera Membership Fee Survey.
2. Event and sponsorship revenue: Revenue generated from event sponsorship packages at European Tape Week (ranging from Platinum/Gold comprehensive options to flexible building blocks), advertising in Afera Insights newsletter (€1,500 per half year), website advertising (€1,500 per full year), and Supporter packages for the annual market report.
3. TACK licensing fees: One-time development fee of €5,000 plus annual licensing fee for unlimited access to the TACK online PCF calculation platform. Discounted licensing available for companies with existing Sphera LCA Calculator licenses. Fees depend on agreement duration (1, 3, or 5 years). Available exclusively to Afera and IVK members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels14 records

Core offering

Afera is a non-profit European trade association representing the entire adhesive tape value chain. It provides membership-based services including industry representation, technical standardisation, regulatory affairs advocacy, sustainability initiatives, market intelligence, and networking events to its members (tape manufacturers, raw material suppliers, machine makers, and converters).

Product overview

Afera (The European Adhesive Tape Association) is a not-for-profit trade organization serving as the voice of the pressure-sensitive adhesive tape technology value chain. Rather than a single product, Afera offers a comprehensive portfolio of industry services organized around four pillars: Technical Centre (test methods and market intelligence), Regulatory Affairs (compliance guidance), Sustainability (AFSP and TACK tool), and Networking/Events. Core offerings include the annually updated Afera Test Methods Manual, the Afera European Pressure-Sensitive Tape Market Report (produced with AWA), and TACK (a web-based PCF calculation tool developed with IVK and Sphera). The association also provides regulatory affairs services covering EU regulations, sustainability guidance including release liner recycling resources, and organizes flagship events including European Tape Week, Tape College, Technical Seminar, and Annual Conference. Membership provides access to technical resources, market intelligence, regulatory guidance, sustainability tools, and industry networking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Afera Membership Program Tiered membership programme providing adhesive tape manufacturers, raw material and machine suppliers, converters, and national associations with access to standards, regulatory advocacy, market data, networking events, and working group participation.
• TACK (Tape and Adhesive Calculation Kit) A licensed software tool that enables tape manufacturers to calculate the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) of pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes using Afera-specific industry data and methodology.
• Afera Test Methods Manual Standardised laboratory test methods manual for the pressure-sensitive adhesive tape industry, covering adhesion, shear, tensile, and other performance measurements.
• Afera European Pressure-Sensitive Tape Market Report Market intelligence publication providing European pressure-sensitive tape industry data, statistics, and trends, sold to members and the broader industry.
• Regulatory Affairs Services Regulatory affairs support, monitoring, and advocacy services on EU legislation affecting the adhesive tape industry, including REACH, packaging regulation, and PFAS.
• Afera Annual Conference Annual industry conference bringing together European adhesive tape manufacturers, suppliers, and converters for networking, education, and business development.
• European Tape Week Multi-day industry event focusing on adhesive tape themes, including sustainability, technical developments, and marketing, organised by Afera for its members and the broader industry.
• Afera Tape College Educational training programme for industry participants covering adhesive tape technology, applications, and fundamentals, delivered as part of Afera's events portfolio.
• Afera Technical Seminar Technical seminar programme covering pressure-sensitive adhesive tape test methods, applications, and standards, organised by Afera's Technical Centre.
• AFSP (Afera Flagship Sustainability Project) Afera's flagship sustainability initiative for the European adhesive tape industry, addressing environmental challenges and providing members with sustainability resources and frameworks.
• Release Liner Recycling Guidance Guidance and resources supporting release liner recycling in the adhesive tape industry, addressing end-of-life management for tape products.

Quantifiable outcome

• TACK tool provides standardised PCF calculations aligned with ISO 14067 and TfS PCF guidelines, enabling Scope 3 reporting and CSRD compliance for tape manufacturers.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers30 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• IVK (Industrieverband Klebstoffe e.V.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development of TACK (Tape and Adhesives Calculation Kit), a web-based Product Carbon Footprint calculation tool for adhesives and adhesive tapes. IVK is the German Adhesives Association. More than 80 Afera and IVK members participated in scoping exercises, workshops, and discussions during development. TACK launched in May 2025. The collaboration harmonises PCF calculation approaches across both associations' memberships.
• SpheracoreTechnology or IntegrationSphera designed and developed the TACK web-based tool and provides the high-quality, curated database underlying the PCF calculations. TACK can be automated and integrated with companies' ERP systems. Sphera also developed training documents and videos for TACK users.
• DEKRA Assurance Services GmbHmajorTechnology or IntegrationDEKRA conducted third-party pre-verification of the TACK software model and correct functionality of the web-based tools, evaluating documentation and software against the TfS PCF Guideline and providing a comprehensive review report. This verification increases credibility of self-declaration of carbon indicators for adhesive and tape products.
• AWA Alexander Watson AssociatescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAWA developed the Afera European Pressure-Sensitive Tape Market Report 2025 in close cooperation with Afera. The report extracts and refines European content from AWA's Global Pressure-Sensitive Tape Market Report. Supported by six industry Supporters representing the full tape value chain.
• Lejeune Association ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLAM operates Afera's Secretariat on a full management basis, providing office resources and administrative/functional expertise. LAM is based at Afera's head office in The Hague. The arrangement enables Afera to benefit from professional association management without maintaining independent administrative infrastructure.
• CEFIC (European Chemistry Industry Council)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a technology partner on Afera's Technology Partners page. CEFIC represents the European chemical industry and collaborates with Afera on shared regulatory and technical interests at the intersection of chemicals and adhesive tape manufacturing.
• CheMI (European Platform for Chemicals Using Manufacturing Industries)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a technology partner. Afera is represented in CARACAL (Competent Authorities for REACH and CLP) via CheMI membership. CheMI facilitates Afera's engagement in public consultations on chemicals legislation affecting the tape value chain.
• FEICA (The European Adhesives and Sealants Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a technology partner. FEICA represents the European adhesives and sealants industry and collaborates with Afera on shared regulatory and sustainability topics, including the microplastics REACH restriction guidance.
• FINAT (The European Association for the Label Industry)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a technology partner. Afera collaborates with FINAT on release liner advocacy under PPWR (joint position paper with CELAB) and microplastics REACH restriction guidance, as both industries share similar regulatory challenges.
• EPRC (European Paper Recycling Council)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a technology partner. EPRC focuses on paper recycling and is relevant to Afera's work on release liner recycling and the AFSP waste management workstream.
• ISGATEC (International Sealing, Gasket and Adhesive Technology Knowledge Platform and Network)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a technology partner. ISGATEC provides a knowledge platform for sealing, gasket, and adhesive technology topics, relevant to Afera's technical and standardisation activities.
• RadTech Europe (The European Association for Energy Curing Technology)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a technology partner. RadTech Europe covers energy curing technology relevant to UV tapes and coatings used in adhesive tape manufacturing.
• CELAB (Conservators and Labelstock Industry)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfera collaborates with FINAT and CELAB on a joint position paper to clarify the regulatory status of release liners under PPWR, with support from consultancy FleishmanHillard. CELAB also maintains an interactive map of release liner recycling solution providers relevant to Afera's AFSP waste management workstream.
• FleishmanHillardminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConsultancy supporting Afera, FINAT, and CELAB's joint advocacy initiative on release liner regulatory status under PPWR. Provides advocacy expertise in interactions with European Commission officials.
• Cycle4Green (C4G)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCycle4Green focuses on paper release liner waste collection and specialises in recycling silicone-coated papers. Partnered with recycling facilities in Austria and Germany to enable a fully closed material stream for release paper waste. Part of Afera's AFSP waste management workstream.
• AD Circular (Avery Dennison programme)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAvery Dennison's programme for recycling used paper and filmic liners. The web-based app enables scheduling waste pick-up and provides data and analytics including CO2 emissions avoided. Listed as a partner for liner waste collection and recycling under Afera's AFSP.
• UPM Liner LoopminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUPM's circular recycling solution for siliconised release papers, UPM Liner Loop, offers a waste collection service through a dedicated network of collection partners. UPM Specialty Papers is an Afera member and supporter of the European Tape Market Report.
• SopremaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSoprema offers recycling solutions across Europe covering paper-based liners including double-sided siliconised and dark-coloured liners. Provides collection services throughout Europe and can issue recycling certificates. Listed as a partner for liner waste collection under Afera's AFSP.
• DMP GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRomanian company specialising in plastic recycling and collaborating with CELAB. Equipped to process release liners including post-industrial waste and post-consumer PET labels. Listed as a partner for liner waste collection under Afera's AFSP.
• CEN (European Committee for Standardisation)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfera actively participates in CEN TC261/WG3/SG2 discussions on Design for Recycling (DfR) guidelines for paper packaging, contributing draft internal guidance and decision-making workflows. Also participates in CEN TC261/SC4/WG10 for plastic packaging DfR guidelines.
• Global Tape Forum (GTF)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfera is a founding member of the Global Tape Forum, an international body focused on adhesive tape standardisation. Afera dedicates itself to establishing standard test methods recognised by the GTF, and GTF is a key reference for international standard harmonisation.
• Together for Sustainability (TfS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTfS is an initiative of chemical companies providing PCF guidelines (aligned with ISO 14067) that underpin the TACK tool's methodology. TfS's PCF Guideline serves as the basis for TACK's third-party verification by DEKRA. Alessandro Pistillo (TfS Scope 3 GHG emissions programme co-chair at BASF) provided endorsement of TACK.
• MondiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMondi provided a legal assessment on release liner regulatory status under PPWR as part of the joint Afera-FINAT-CELAB advocacy initiative. Mondi is also a Supporter of the Afera European Pressure-Sensitive Tape Market Report 2025 and provides release liner recycling expertise.
• IKEAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenla Hemmilä, material & technology engineer at IKEA, provided a testimonial on TACK, noting that standardising the method of measuring LCAs will save time on internal confirmation work. IKEA represents a major downstream customer of tape products.
• PSTC (Pressure Sensitive Tape Council - North America)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPSTC is referenced as the North American counterpart to Afera in the Afera Test Methods Manual's comparative table. ATP adhesive systems AG showcased TACK at PSTC's Tape Week, indicating collaboration in sustainability tool promotion.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• China Adhesives Industry Association (CATIA): CATIA represents the Chinese adhesives industry with significant overlap into pressure-sensitive tapes. As a regional player, CATIA does not compete with Afera in Europe but represents the rapidly growing Asian market that increasingly intersects with European tape manufacturers' global operations.
• Japan Adhesive Tape Manufacturers Association (JATMA): JATMA is the Japanese adhesive tape industry association and a regional counterpart to Afera. As part of the Global Tape Forum alongside Afera, JATMA operates in similar trade association functions (test methods, standards, industry advocacy) but in the Japanese market rather than competing directly in Europe.

Direct peers

• Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute (TLMI): TLMI is the North American association for the tag and label industry, with significant overlap into pressure-sensitive tape applications and release liner topics. TLMI addresses comparable standards, sustainability, and regulatory challenges, paralleling Afera's role in Europe.
• FINAT (European Association for the Label Industry): FINAT represents the European label industry and collaborates with Afera on shared regulatory challenges including release liner advocacy under PPWR and microplastics REACH restriction. The industries share downstream chemistry and release liner supply chains, making FINAT a natural peer and joint advocate.
• FEICA (European Adhesives and Sealants Association): FEICA is the pan-European association for the adhesives and sealants industry and a listed Afera technology partner. It operates in an adjacent but overlapping scope, with joint work on regulatory topics such as microplastics REACH restriction, creating both partnership and competitive dynamics with Afera.
• CELAB (Conservators and Labelstock Industry): CELAB is a global industry initiative focused on release liner recycling and sustainability. Afera collaborates with CELAB on a joint position paper with FINAT on release liner status under PPWR, making CELAB a peer in release liner advocacy and recycling infrastructure.
• Pressure Sensitive Tape Council (PSTC): PSTC is the North American trade association for the pressure-sensitive tape industry and the closest direct peer to Afera. PSTC test methods are mapped directly against Afera's in the Afera Test Methods Manual, and ATP has showcased TACK at PSTC Tape Week, demonstrating active cross-association collaboration.
• Industrieverband Klebstoffe (IVK): IVK is the German Adhesives Association and Afera's joint development partner on the TACK PCF calculation tool. IVK represents German adhesives and tape manufacturers with overlapping scope to Afera, particularly on regulatory affairs and sustainability, making it both a close peer and a strategic collaborator.

Others

• Global Tape Forum (GTF): GTF is the international body focused on adhesive tape standardisation, of which Afera is a founding member. While not a competing association, GTF functions as an enabling peer for global standard harmonisation and serves as a reference point for cross-regional test method alignment.

Broad incumbents

• Adhesive and Sealant Council (ASC): ASC is the North American trade association for the broader adhesive and sealant industry. While its scope is wider than Afera's tape-specific focus, ASC addresses similar regulatory, sustainability, and standardisation challenges for adhesive manufacturers, making it a useful broader incumbent peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/afera

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Afera