The global seam tapes market was valued at USD 208.1 Million in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 346.0 Million by 2027, expanding at a CAGR of 6.6% during the forecast period. Seam tapes are multilayered adhesive films that are applied to the sewn seams to prevent water leakage through the stitch holes and seams. Seam tapes are used for preventing leakages in numerous applications such as protective clothing (including PPE kits and military kits), waterproof apparel (such as rainwear), footwear (including shoes and wanders), automotive parts, and sporting goods.
Market Dynamics
Drivers
Growing Demand for PPE in the Healthcare Sector
The sudden COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in the speedy development and supply of PPE kits in the healthcare sector for its use by doctors, nurses, and other medical staffs. The increase in the demand for PPE, owing to the pandemic, has led to a shortage of the same. This is fueling the demand for PPE among manufacturers. Seam tapes are vital components of PPE, as it ensures the complete protection of the PPE suit from the contamination of coronavirus by sealing off the seams of the suit. Furthermore, the demand for PPE has increased due to R&D in the healthcare sector for the development of a vaccine to the virus. This, in turn, is boosting the global seam tapes market.
Rising Demand for Protective Clothing and Accessories in Several Sectors
The use of protective clothing in industries such as chemical, construction, healthcare, and fire-fighting. Countries such as China, the US, Japan, Germany, France, and India are key producers of chemicals. According to the European Chemical Industry Council, China accounted for 1,412.7 Bn worth of chemical sales, followed by the US with 551.9 Bn in 2018. The high production of chemicals indicates a large number of labors engaged in the production process that require protective chemical gear. Seam tapes are a vital element in the manufacture of protective gear, as it prevents the chemical gases to enter through the fabric seams, resulting in a high demand for seam tapes. Seam tapes are majorly used in construction gears; therefore, a substantial increase in the demand for protective clothing and accessories in these sectors is expected to drive the market.
Restraint
Rising Usage of Seamless Technologies in the Apparel Industry
Seamless fabric is a kind of one-time cloth created from seamless knitting machine. Cutting and stitching methods in the existing production system is mainly labor driven. The sewing process creates needle hole on the sewn garment and the stress on the portion of the seam. The use of seamless clothing technology in the apparel industry has eliminated the requirement for fabric laying, cutting, and stitching. This technology helps manufacturers in the direct production of finished goods and reduction the production process. This leads to an overall cost cutting of up to 40% as compared to customary knitting. This is resulting in the adoption of seamless apparel manufacturing technology, thus decreasing the conventional seam-based apparels. This, in turn, is decreasing the demand for seam tapes.
Opportunity
Advancements in Backing Materials for the Production of Seam Tapes
Advancements are continuously being made in the backing materials of the production of effective seam tapes. Backing materials are generally flexible materials that carry adhesive to constitute an adhesive tape. PVC and PU are backing materials used in the manufacture of seam tapes. Growing R&D investments among manufacturers across the PVC compound industry for improving its properties such as strength and resistance is expected to generate several opportunities in the seam tapes market. Furthermore, advancements in fabrics has increased flexibility and optimized the rigidity of the backing material in apparel. This, in turn, is creating multiple growth opportunities in the global seam tapes market.
Segmental Outlook
On the basis of Material, the seam tapes market is segmented into polyurethane (PU), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and Others. The TPU segment is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period owing to its broad usage in single layer seam tapes. TPU is also considered as a great adhesive in 2-layer seam tapes. Furthermore, the rising use of PVC is also expected to result in the growth of the segment. Poly vinyl chloride has properties of providing a tremendous waterproofing. The growth of this segment is attributed to its usage in rainwear to ensure water-resistant under the most extreme weather conditions. PVC-based seam tapes are considered to have a high resistance against moisture, abrasion, oils, and solutions with acids and alkaline.
Based on applications, the seam tapes market is divided into the roofing/ flooring, apparel, sports, protective clothing, and others. The protective clothing segment is projected to hold a major share of the market during the forecast period owing to the use of seam tapes for protective clothing is rising owing to its wide usage in chemical, building and construction, and military clothing and gears. Furthermore, the unprecedented occurrence of COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the high usage in protective face masks and protective clothing such as PPE kits among doctors, nurses, and other medical staffs across the medical industry. The use of seam tapes, which are also known as PPE tapes, plays a crucial role in the formation of the PPE kits.
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