Pressure-sensitive adhesive composition and pressure-sensitive adhesive tape

A pressure-sensitive adhesive composition comprising (A) a particulate polymer of a monomer mixture comprising:

• from 20 to 55 mass % of (a) an alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer with the alkyl group having a carbon number of 8 to 14,
• from 20 to 35 mass % of (b-1) an alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer with the alkyl group having a carbon number of 15 to 24 and the alkyl group being a linear alkyl group,
• from 5 to 35 mass % of (b-2) an alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer with the alkyl group having a carbon number of 15 to 24 and the alkyl group being a branched alkyl group, and
• from 2 to 5 mass % of (c) a monoolefinically unsaturated monomer having a ketone group, said percentages each being based on the total amount of the monomers (a), (b-1), (b-2), and (c), wherein the monomer mixture is polymerized in the presence of water;
• and
• (B) an initiator having low solubility in water.