Saica Group leads innovation with the launch of the first recycled paper adhesive tape on the market

Saica Group has launched a new recycled paper adhesive tape, reinforcing its leadership in sustainable packaging through innovation and circular economy. Developed jointly by Saica Flex and Saica Paper, the solution is made from 100% recycled fibers sourced within the Group, creating a circular story: the recycled paper is produced by Saica Paper, transformed into adhesive tape by Saica Flex, and finally applied to protect Saica Paper’s own paper reels. The process starts and ends in the same place, boosting circularity.

Designed to firmly adhere to paper and cardboard, the tape is self-adhesive, linerless, and enables efficient unwinding and overlapping, opening a wide array of potential applications. The recycled paper tape ensures secure protection throughout the product’s lifetime while eliminating alternatives that are typically non-repulpable.

This innovation significantly impacts Saica Flex’s sustainability goals by increasing its portfolio with flexible paper solutions, which are a key strategic focus for the division. While paper-based adhesive tapes tend to face circularity limitations, Saica has successfully overcome this challenge by ensuring that the recycled paper tape can be repulped for fibre recovery. After extensive research and testing at its R&D centre, the Group achieved the optimal balance between technical performance and recyclability. 

Another key advantage is that the tape works with standard reel-wrapping machines and therefore requires no equipment changes or investment. Compatible with all reel types, it integrates easily into existing production lines.

Federico Asensio, Technology & Innovation Director at Saica Group adds: “At Saica Group we are convinced that applying this innovation to reel adhesive tape is only the first step. We see many more potential applications ahead, and our research continues to move in that direction. This breakthrough opens the door to new opportunities to further improve sustainability and performance across our product portfolio.”

The solution has already been successfully implemented at Saica Paper’s facilities in El Burgo de Ebro (Spain) and will soon be rolled out across other Group’s paper production lines in Europe, marking a key milestone in sustainable reel protection. With this development, Saica Group demonstrates how innovation, sustainability and circularity can work together to deliver high-performance packaging solutions for the paper industry. 

About the Saica Group

 The Saica Group offers sustainable paper solutions for the manufacturing of corrugated cardboard and packaging, promoting circularity in waste management. With more than 12,000 employees and a presence in Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Turkey, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland and the United States, the Saica Group has four business divisions: the manufacturing recycled paper for corrugated board (Saica Paper), waste management and environmental services (Saica Natur), the production of corrugated board packaging (Saica Pack) and flexible packaging (Saica Flex). The group's turnover is 3,962 million euros (consolidated sales on 31 December 2025).