3M Develops Solventless Manufacturing Process to Keep Greenville Green

Published: October 19, 2015

ST. PAUL, MN | 3M announced that the 3M Scotch box sealing tapes manufacturing process is now virtually free of organic solvents. This equates to total avoided emissions of about 100 MT CO2-e per year. Plus, 3M customers can expect the same excellent tape performance that they’ve been used to. Furthermore, this change represents a positive environmental impact for the community of Greenville, SC.

The adhesive side of box sealing tape has been manufactured without solvent since 1975. In alignment with 3M’s dedication to improve lives through innovation and commitment to sustainability, the release coating (non-sticky side of the tape) that allows the tape to smoothly unwind without tearing is now manufactured without the addition of solvent. Eliminating the use of organic solvents in our production reduces greenhouse gases, carbon footprint, and use of petroleum resources.

Environmental stewardship is a fundamental value at 3M, and so is delivering excellence to improve every life. The new production process will not impact the quality of the tape properties and performance. Additionally, the cost of tape will remain the same.

“At 3M, nothing is more important to us than improving lives and enriching the communities in which we live and work,” said Teresa Borzcik, 3M Industrial Adhesives & Tapes Div. manager of sustainability & regulatory affairs. “We take responsibility to establish sustainable practices and continually improve our products and processes. By eliminating volatile organic compounds from the manufacturing process of our Scotch box sealing tapes, we continue to invest not only in the superior quality of our products, but also in our customers and communities.”

3M and its Greenville production facility is recognized as a Responsible Tape Manufacturer by the Pressure Sensitive Tape Council. For more information, call 1-800-362-3550 or visit 3M.com/ScotchTape.