PP adhesive tape and PVC adhesive tape in comparison

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PP ADHESIVE TAPE AND PVC ADHESIVE TAPE?

For many consumers, all tapes are created equal.  But there is a clear difference between PP and PVC packing tape: the backing material.

The backing material is the main component of adhesive tapes. In the case of PP adhesive tape, this is made of polypropylene (abbreviated to PP), whereas PVC adhesive tape is made of polyvinyl chloride (abbreviated to PVC).

PVC tape is harder and therefore withstands even the highest demands. It is also always quiet to unroll. This is not always the case with PP adhesive tapes. If quiet unwinding is important for PP adhesive tapes, the word "low-noise" should be looked for. 

PP adhesive tape is easier and more environmentally friendly to dispose of. It consists of neutral raw materials that can be safely incinerated or recycled. PVC packing tape, on the other hand, should be disposed of separately, as incineration can produce toxic gases. Unlike PVC tapes, you can leave PP tapes attached to the carton when disposing of them and do not have to separate them from the carton first. Packaging tape made of PVC must be removed from the carton before recycling.

The manufacturing process is also simpler for PP tapes, giving them a clear cost advantage.

PVC adhesive tapes are covered with a natural rubber / solvent adhesive. This adhesive is of a high quality and at the top of the price range. There are also PP tapes coated with this adhesive. Our ENVO TAPE 5800 has an acrylic adhesive of high quality, and offers the same adhesive strength as the natural rubber adhesive. 

WHEN SHOULD I USE PP ADHESIVE TAPE AND WHEN SHOULD I USE PVC ADHESIVE TAPE?

PVC film is more durable and tear resistant than PP film. Therefore, PVC tape may be the better choice for heavy packages. However, there are PP tapes, such as the ENVO TAPE 5800which is just as hard-wearing, quietly unrollable and tear-resistant as PVC tape. The adhesive strength is also comparable and meets the highest demands.

As soon as the circumstances are less extreme, i.e. when light to medium-weight packages are to be sealed (up to approx. 30 kg) and they are not exposed to extreme temperatures, it is recommended to use packing tape made of PP material.

If it is not clear whether a PP or PVC packing tape is the most suitable for your purposes, there is a high probability that there is a PP tape that perfectly meets your requirement. Preferably, you should then also go for this tape. The material is more environmentally friendly and easier to recycle than PVC tape. In addition, an alternative made of PP material is significantly cheaper.

You would only opt for a PVC tape if your situation absolutely requires it. In all other situations, PP alternatives are more advantageous, due to cheaper procurement and easier and environmentally friendly disposal. The high quality of PVC tapes is equalled by modern alternatives made of PP material.

If you want to remove the adhesive tapes from a surface without leaving any residue, we recommend PVC adhesive tapes. Most PP tapes have aggressive types of adhesive that leave residues on sensitive surfaces. 

HOW CAN I DISTINGUISH PP ADHESIVE TAPE FROM PVC ADHESIVE TAPE?

With the naked eye, it is almost impossible to tell whether it is PP or PVC parcel tape. But there is a simple trick for this: the pen test.

Here's how: Unroll a piece of the tape and tape the end to a table. Pull both sides tightly at a 180 degree angle so that the tape is sufficiently taut. Now take a pen (preferably a ballpoint pen) and poke the center of the tape. If it tears, you have a PP tape. If there is only one hole, it is a PVC packing tape. 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FILM AND TOTAL THICKNESS?

An adhesive tape always consists of two components: Carrier material and adhesive. Both components have a thickness, which is also called strength.

Together these two components make up the total thickness. Film thickness, on the other hand, refers exclusively to the thickness of the backing material.

Hence: Film thickness + adhesive thickness = total thickness

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