Europe Medical Adhesive Tapes Market

Europe Medical Adhesive Tapes Market Size

The Europe medical adhesive tapes market was valued at USD 2.2 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow from USD 2.3 billion in 2025 to USD 3.5 billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 4.9%, according to the latest report published by Global Market Insights Inc. The market has been steadily growing, driven by the aging population and demand for chronic disease management across Europe, rising surgical procedures across Europe, growth in cosmetic dermatology and aesthetic clinics, growing integration with wearable medical devices.

Medical adhesive tapes are specialized tapes used by clinicians to secure dressings, bandages, and medical devices to the skin. Major players in the medical adhesive tapes industry include Cardinal Health, Solventum, Avery Dennison Corporation, Lohmann GmbH, and Lintec Corporation. The market primarily focuses on developing skin-friendly, durable, and hypoallergenic adhesive solutions that ensure secure fixation while minimizing skin irritation, especially for sensitive or compromised skin conditions.

The market increased from USD 1.9 billion in 2021 to USD 2.1 billion in 2023. This growth is largely due to the aging population and demand for chronic disease management across Europe and growth in cosmetic procedures and aesthetic clinics which require transparent, breathable, and low-irritation adhesives. These clinics frequently perform procedures such as laser treatments, chemical peels, microneedling, and minor surgical enhancements, all of which require high-quality adhesive tapes for wound care, dressing fixation, and skin protection. The need for tapes that are gentle on sensitive skin, hypoallergenic, and aesthetically discreet is especially high in this segment, driving innovation and expanding the market for specialized medical adhesive tapes tailored to aesthetic applications.

The aging population and demand for chronic disease management across Europe is playing a major role in driving market growth. For example, according to Eurostat, Europe’s aging population is accelerating, with 22% of European Union aged 65 and over as of 2024, up from 16% in 2004. This demographic shift is prompting governments to reassess healthcare infrastructure, long-term care systems, and medical supply chains including increased demand for products like skin-friendly medical adhesive tapes tailored to elderly patients with sensitive and fragile skin.

Additionally, rising surgical procedures across Europe are significantly boosting the medical adhesive tapes market. For instance, in 2022, Europe experienced a substantial rise in surgical procedures, with 1.1 million angioplasty procedures were performed across 25 EU countries. Additionally, there has been a marked increase in minimally invasive surgeries such as laparoscopic hysterectomies, hernia repairs, and appendectomies, reflecting a broader trend toward advanced, less invasive medical interventions. This growing volume of surgeries directly contributes to the expanding demand for medical adhesive tapes, which are essential for wound care, dressing fixation, and post-operative recovery.

Medical adhesive tapes are an essential part of modern health systems, especially used in wound care, surgical procedures, and fixation of medical devices. These tapes are designed to be breathable, flexible, and hypoallergenic to provide maximum comfort when used for long periods.

Europe Medical Adhesive Tapes Market Trends

• The growth in cosmetic procedures and aesthetic clinics and growing integration of wearable medical devices across Europe are powerful drivers for the medical adhesive tapes market.
  
• The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reported that in 2022 Germany and Italy had a combined number of cosmetic/aesthetic procedures of over 1.78 million, Germany with 1,032,791 procedures and Italy with 747,391 procedures. This indicates a strong demand for aesthetic treatments throughout Europe.  Each of these procedures generally require medical adhesive tapes for post-care treatments, protection over wounds, dressing fixation, and securing devices like cooling pads or sensors attached over the wound.
  
• The excessive volume of procedures means increased use of specialty adhesive tapes for sensitive skin and short-term wear resulting in continued growth within the European medical adhesive tapes market.
  
• Healthcare is shifting to remote monitoring of patients, employing devices like ECG patches, glucose monitors, temperature sensors, etc. to be used in both clinical settings and home monitoring. These devices require specific medical adhesive tapes that can maintain their adhesion and device security over long periods and without irritating or detaching from the skin. This trend is fueling demand for advanced tapes with features like breathability, flexibility, and hypoallergenic properties, thereby expanding the market and encouraging innovation in adhesive technologies tailored to wearable applications.
  

Europe Medical Adhesive Tapes Market Analysis

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The market was valued at USD 1.9 billion in 2021. The market size reached USD 2.1 billion in 2023, from USD 2 billion in 2022.  

Based on the type, the medical adhesive tapes market is segmented into acrylic, silicone, and rubber. The acrylic segment accounted for 59.7% of the market in 2024, due to its skin-friendliness, breathability, and resistance to moisture and temperature, making it ideal for both short- and long-term medical applications such as surgical dressings, IV securement, and wound care. The segment is expected to exceed USD 2.1 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period. On the other hand, the silicone segment is expected to grow with a CAGR of 5.3% from 2025 to 2034. The growth of this segment can be attributed to its superior skin adhesion with minimal trauma upon removal, making it ideal for sensitive skin and long-term applications.

• Silicone medical adhesive tapes are specialized tapes designed for clinical applications requiring gentle yet secure adhesion to the skin. Their unique viscoelastic properties allow them to conform to the skin’s surface while minimizing trauma during removal.
  
• The adoption of silicone adhesive tapes is significantly contributing to the growth of the overall medical adhesive tapes market in Europe. Their superior skin compatibility, non-irritating removal, and long-term wearability make them ideal for pediatric, geriatric, and chronic care patients.
  
• Additionally, the rise in wearable medical devices such as ECG patches and glucose monitors has led to increased use of silicone adhesives for secure and skin-friendly fixation. Products like 3M Kind Removal Silicone Tape is widely used across European hospitals and clinics, reflecting strong market penetration.
  
• As healthcare systems increasingly prioritize patient comfort, safety, and advanced wound care, silicone tapes are becoming the preferred choice over traditional acrylic or rubber-based tapes.
  

Based on the adhesive, the Europe medical adhesive tapes market is segmented into single coated and double coated. The double coated segment accounted for the market share of 37.1% in 2024.

• Double coated medical adhesive tapes are specifically designed tapes with adhesive on both sides of a center carrier material that allows the tape to bond to two surfaces at the same time. They are very useful when it comes to bonding medical devices to the skin or in assembling multi-layer wound dressings.
  
• Double coated medical adhesive tapes are establishing a path of innovation and growth in the medical adhesive tape market because they are multifunctional and offer superior performance. The double-sided adhesive property allows the manufacturer to design more complex and functional medical devices such as wearable sensors, ostomy appliances and advanced wound care.
  
• An example is the 3M Medical Silicone Tape 2487. On the skin-facing side, the tape has a silicone adhesive for gentle removal, and on the other side, it has an acrylate adhesive for strong adhesion to a medical device.
  
• As demand increases for wearable devices, advanced wound care, and patient-centric solutions, double coated tapes will be pivotal to the future of medical technologies and improving clinical outcomes for patients.
  

Based on the application, the Europe medical adhesive tapes market is segmented into surgery, wound dressing, device fixation, and other applications. The surgery segment accounted for the market share of 28.7% in 2024.

• Surgery in the European medical adhesive tapes market involves specialty adhesive tapes that are commonly used in surgical procedures to fix surgical drapes, dressings, catheters and medical devices to the skin or surgical sight. These tapes are made of hypoallergenic, breathable material and are designed for maintaining adhesion in wet, fluid-intensive uses.
  
• These tape products typically maintain sterility of the surgical site, minimize infection, and ensure that surgical dressing or surgical tools, such as endoscopes, are maintained in a fixed position during surgery.
  
• Surgical applications are a major growth drive for the medical adhesive tapes market in Europe. With an increasing number of elective and emergency surgeries, especially among the aging population, the demand for reliable and skin-friendly adhesive solutions is rising. Hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers require tapes that can withstand long procedures, offer secure adhesion, and minimize skin trauma upon removal.
  
• The introduction of antimicrobial tapes, and dressings with advanced technology that prevents moisture formation to enhance post-operative care are increasing market demand.
  
• For example, Nitto’s ST-316 surgical tape features a strong Japanese paper material with an acrylic adhesive for a secure fixation during surgery. The ST-276 uses a polyurethane film and STRATAGEL adhesive. This tape provides waterproof yet breathable protection for surgical dressing. These tapes are in direct skin contact use on skin and are designed in mind for the surgical environment to provide comfort and performance.
  
• Europe's commitment to healthcare infrastructure and an aging population suggests that surgical applications will continue to be a basis for market growth in both product development and clinical outcomes.
  

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Based on end use, Europe medical adhesive tapes market is segmented into hospitals, specialty clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, and other end users. The hospitals segment accounted for the highest market share of 40.9% in 2024.

• The hospital segment in the medical adhesive tapes market in Europe refers to the use of adhesive tapes for clinical, surgical, and post-operative care across a wide selection of hospital areas. Hospitals rely on lots of different types of adhesive tapes such as single-coated, double-coated, and silicone based to provide care for their different patients. Adhesive tapes are used throughout hospital departments like emergency rooms, operating rooms, intensive care units, to perform and maintain clinical care with consistent performance and skin safety and to prevent infections.
  
• Hospitals are one of the largest consumers of medical adhesive tapes, and their inventory demands are pushing the innovation and growth of the medical adhesive tapes market. According to the world bank, the average number of surgery cases performed in hospitals across the EU annually is 11,000 to 13000 surgeries per 100,000 of the population, depending on the country. The number of surgical cases reflects inpatient and outpatient surgery cases, with a wide variety of surgical procedures ranging from orthopaedic to cardiothoracic surgical cases.
  
• With increasing patient admissions, surgical procedures, and chronic disease treatments, hospitals require a wide variety of tapes tailored to different medical needs. The push for better patient outcomes has led to the adoption of tapes that are breathable, hypoallergenic, and easy to remove without damaging the skin. Additionally, hospitals are influencing manufacturers to develop tapes that are compatible with sterilization methods and long-term wear, which in turn is expanding the product range and boosting market growth.
  

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Europe Medical Adhesive Tapes Market

Germany dominated the market with the highest market share of 22.7% in 2024. The region has advanced healthcare infrastructure, and the number of surgeries being performed is also high.

• The Germany medical adhesive tapes market was valued at USD 430 million and USD 451.3 million in 2021 and 2022, respectively. In 2024 the market size reached USD 494.8 million from USD 472.9 million in 2023.  
  
• The increasing number of inpatient surgeries is fueling the market growth. According to the German Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), in 2023, German hospitals performed approximately 16.5 million inpatient surgeries under the Diagnosis Related Groups (DRG) system. This includes a wide range of procedures across specialties such as orthopedics, general surgery, gynecology, and neurosurgery. This substantial volume of inpatient procedures underscores the growing demand for reliable post-operative care solutions, positioning medical adhesive tapes as an essential component in surgical recovery and hospital workflows across Europe.
  
• Additionally, Germany has a robust hospital network with 1,874 hospitals serving 17.2 million patients annually. Surgical services represent a significant portion of this activity, especially in orthopedic, trauma, and obstetric care, further fueling growth of this market.
  

UK medical adhesive tapes market accounted for USD 384.2 million in 2024 and is anticipated to show lucrative growth over the forecast period.

• The rising geriatric population in the region, coupled with increasing government initiatives to enhance healthcare infrastructure, is expected to drive market growth.
  
• For instance, between 1981 and 2021, the UK saw a significant rise in its older population. The number of people aged 50 and over increased by nearly 7 million, marking a 47% growth, while those aged 65 and above grew by over 3.5 million, making up 18% of the total population. These figures reflect the country’s ongoing demographic shift toward an ageing society, as reported by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
  
• This demographic change, supported by government-led policies to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, will likely have a profound effect on market dynamics particularly in areas like medical adhesive tapes, where the growing market demand for gentle, long-wear, and skin-safe solutions is parallel to the increased needs of older patients.
  

France medical adhesive tapes market is projected to experience steady growth between 2025 and 2034.

• Growth in cosmetic procedures and aesthetic clinics is significantly shaping medical adhesive tapes market. According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), France ranks among the top countries globally for cosmetic procedures. The most performed surgeries include breast augmentation (53,938 procedures), liposuction (38,671 procedures), and eyelid surgery (37,870 procedures). These procedures reflect a strong demand for aesthetic enhancements across various age groups.
  
• This growing interest in cosmetic surgery directly supports the medical adhesive tapes market, as these tapes are essential for post-operative care. They help secure dressings, reduce scarring, and support healing in sensitive areas following aesthetic procedures. The need for skin-friendly, breathable, and hypoallergenic tapes is especially high in cosmetic applications, driving innovation and expanding market opportunities in this segment.
  

The Italy medical adhesive tapes market is projected to be valued at USD 205.5 million in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 292 million by 2034.

• Growing demand for chronic disease management such as diabetes is propelling growth of medical adhesive tapes market. As of 2023, around 3.7 million people in Italy were living with diabetes, with the majority aged 75 years or older. The age-standardised prevalence among adults aged 20-79 was 7.7%, and this figure is projected to rise to 9.2% by 2050. Italy currently ranks fourth in the IDF Europe Region for the number of adults with diabetes, underscoring the scale of the condition nationally.
  
• This growing diabetic population is contributing to the expansion of the medical adhesive tapes market, particularly in chronic disease management. Diabetic patients often require regular wound care, glucose monitoring devices, and insulin infusion sets, all of which rely on skin-safe, long-wear adhesive tapes. The demand for tapes that are gentle on aging or sensitive skin, breathable, and compatible with medical devices is increasing, driving innovation and growth in this segment of healthcare supplies.
  

Spain medical adhesive tapes market is poised to witness lucrative growth between 2025 - 2034 with CAGR of 4.3%

• The country has one of the fastest-aging populations along with increasing burden of chronic diseases. For instance, as of 2023, approximately 54.3% of Spain’s population aged 15 and older which equates to over 22 million people were living with at least one chronic disease. These conditions include diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory illnesses, osteoarthritis, and long-term mental health disorders, reflecting a significant public health challenge across the country. Conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic respiratory illnesses often require regular monitoring, wound management, and device support, all of which rely heavily on medical adhesive tapes. As chronic disease management becomes more integrated and home-based, the demand for reliable, skin-friendly adhesive solutions is expected to drive significant growth in the medical adhesive tapes market.
  

Europe Medical Adhesive Tapes Market Share

• The top 5 players, such as Cardinal Health, Solventum, Avery Dennison Corporation, Lohmann GmbH, and Lintec Corporation, collectively held 60% of the total market share. These businesses keep their dominance by combining strong product lines, business alliances, legal clearances, and continuous innovation.
  
• Cardinal Health leads the medical adhesive tapes segment with its hydrogel and hydrocolloid adhesives popular for their moisture-balancing properties, which help maintain optimal healing environments and reduce the risk of skin maceration during extended wear. Argyle Neonatal Hydrogel Adhesive Tape by Cardinal Health is designed with a clear hydrogel formula that gently yet securely adheres to the delicate skin of infants. It effectively holds catheters, I.V. lines, and leads wires in place without causing irritation or damage.
  
• Additionally, the integration of smart adhesives with sensors is opening new avenues for remote monitoring and chronic disease management, further expanding the reach and demand for advanced medical adhesive tapes across both hospital and home care settings.
  
• The medical adhesive tapes market is evolving with trends such as skin injury prevention protocols and infection control-focused designs. These advancements are driven by the growing need for chronic disease management, post-operative care, and elderly patient support, along with a significant shift toward personalized, non-invasive, and cost-effective healthcare delivery.
  

Europe Medical Adhesive Tapes Market Companies

Few of the prominent players operating in the Europe medical adhesive tapes industry include:

• Avery Dennison Corporation
• Berry Global Group
• Cardinal Health
• Flexcon Company
• Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
• Johnson & Johnson
• Lintec Corporation
• Lohmann GmbH
• McKesson Corporation
• Medline Industries
• Medtronic
• Nichiban
• Nitto Denko Corporation
• Paul Hartmann
• Smith & Nephew
• Solventum
  
• Solventum

Solventum has diversified product portfolio in medical adhesive tapes. Its product portfolio includes the Medical Foam Tape 1774T, 3M Medical Silicone Tape 2480, Soft, are conformable silicone adhesive ideal for sensitive or fragile skin and repositionable without loss of adhesion.

• Cardinal Health

Cardinal Health offers a broad range of medical adhesive tapes tailored for clinical versatility, including hypoallergenic paper tapes and self-adherent cohesive bandages. Known for their reliability and skin-friendly formulations, these tapes support secure fixation, gentle removal, and consistent performance across wound care, surgical, and general medical applications in European healthcare settings.

• Avery Dennison Corporation

Avery Dennison Corporation holds a significant share in the medical adhesive tapes market through its comprehensive product portfolio. Avery Dennison emphasizes research and development and product development focusing on skin-friendly adhesives, gentle removal technologies, and custom formulations that support long-term wear, and moisture management.

Europe Medical Adhesive Tapes Industry News

• In July 2024, Avery Dennison Medical launched the Medical Wearable Adhesives Learning Center, an educational platform focused on advancing skin-friendly adhesive technologies for wearable medical devices. This initiative supports healthcare professionals and designers with resources to enhance device performance and patient comfort, reinforcing the company’s commitment to innovation and user-centered solutions in the growing wearable healthcare market.
  
• In November 2023, Henkel unveiled two new medical-grade light cure adhesives Loctite WT 3001 and WT 3003, designed specifically for wearable devices. Free from Isobornyl Acrylate (IBOA) and other known skin sensitizers, the adhesives met ISO 10993 standards and comply with EU MDR 2017 regulations on CMR substances. Engineered for high safety and performance, these solutions offer strong, durable bonding while minimizing skin irritation risks. With rising demand for wearables, Henkel’s innovation marks a significant step toward safer, patient-friendly medical adhesives.
  

The Europe medical adhesive tapes market research report includes an in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates and forecast in terms of revenue in USD Million and from 2021 - 2034 for the following segments:

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Market, By Type

• Acrylic
• Silicon
• Rubber

Market, By Adhesive

• Single coated
• Double coated

Market, By Application

• Surgery
• Wound dressing
• Device fixation
• Other applications

Market, By End Use

• Hospitals
• Specialty clinics
• Ambulatory surgical centers
• Other end users

The above information is provided for the following countries:

• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain