Harmonisation of test methods throughout the pressure- sensitive adhesive (PSA) tape industry is a step closer following the recent meeting of the Global Tape Forum (GTF) in Taipei, Taiwan.
Member associations of the international body that address key issues impacting this industry, pledged closer collaboration to develop and harmonise the test methods. Once finalised, the ‘GTF-Harmonised TMs’ will establish a quality label providing international credibility.
One major benefit of the label is a reduction in time and financial commitment required compared to the first three ISO-certification procedures which cost these European, American and Japanese industry associations a total of €25,600 and took five years to complete.
The forum also made meaningful progress in establishing the role and practices of the international PSA tape forum.
Held biennially, the only purely global pressure-sensitive adhesive tape event was hosted by the Taiwan Regional Association of Adhesive Tape Manufacturers (TAAT).
It was attended by 29 member association delegates and four observers from the six current GTF/GTMC members:
· Afera, The European Association for the Self-Adhesive Tape Industry,
· Afera MEI, The Middle East & India Association for the Self-Adhesive Tape Industry,
· CATIA, The China Adhesives and Tape Industry Association,
· JATMA, The Japanese Adhesive Tapes Manufacturers Association,
· PSTC, The Pressure-Sensitive Tape Council (North America),
· TAAT, The Taiwan Regional Association of Adhesive Tape Manufacturers,.
But while the GTF represents the majority of the world’s PSA tape industry through member associations it is still seeking to extend its reach with representatives in Korea and South America.
The meetings were held prior to TAAT’s Annual Technical Seminar, themed “New Applications and Marketing for Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Tapes,” at the Taipei International Convention Centre. The international event was attended by 240 tape industry professionals and Taiwan’s Vice President, who also spent time meeting with the international tape industry guest delegates.
The Global Tape Forum (GTF) is a non-profit, international organisation created by the global tape industry for the global tape industry. Its mission is to enhance the worldwide pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) tape industry by providing a global forum for all member associations, enabling them to add greater value to their memberships.
The GTF’s objectives are to increase the demand for PSA tapes everywhere; to harmonise key PSA tape test methods; to establish a database of environmental and regulatory trends per region; to gather top-level production data according to agreed-upon categories; to share an open calendar of global PSA educational events, encouraging cross-participation; to hold biennial meetings hosted by member associations on a rotating basis; to establish a small shared fund for running costs; and to appoint a fixed team of volunteer delegates, plus a secretariat, from each member association to serve a three-year term.
The idea of creating the GTF arose from discussions between Afera and PSTC in 2006. The GTF held its inaugural meeting in Orlando, Florida, U.S.A. in May 2009, including 13 delegates from 4 regional/national tape associations. The second meeting was held in Stockholm, Sweden in October 2010 and included 23 delegates from 5 regional/national tape associations. The meeting in Taiwan marked its third official event.
GTF Members include Afera (The European Association for the Self-Adhesive Tape Industry, www.afera.com); Afera MEI (The Middle East & India Association for the Self-Adhesive Tape Industry, http://www.afera.com/templates/mercury.asp?page_id=1856); PSTC (The Pressure Sensitive Tape Council – North America, www.pstc.org); JATMA (The Japanese Adhesive Tapes Manufacturers Association, www.jatma.jp); CATIA (The China Adhesives and Tape Industry Association, www.cnaia.org); and TAAT (The Taiwan Regional Association of Adhesive Tape Manufacturers, www.taiwantape.com), regional or national tape associations together covering the majority of global tape production.
For more information, visit www.globaltapeforum.com.
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