Ahlstrom introduces new release liners for pressure-sensitive tapes with recycled and unbleached fibers

Ahlstrom further broadens its range of release papers by introducing new products that support the design of more sustainable double-sided Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA) tapes.

With many everyday uses, double-sided PSA tapes are hidden components inside many common products. They join different parts or materials with strength, durability, and versatility. While they often directly perform a sustainable function by replacing heavier and more impactful elements, they can also be manufactured with increasingly sustainable materials.

An extension of Ahlstrom’s Acti-V® Industrial dedicated range of high-performance release liners, the new products offer novel options to support environmentally conscious tape producers, thanks to the use of post-consumer recycled fiber, and unbleached cellulose fibers:

• Acti-V® Industrial RF Brown is a supercalendered release paper including 30% post-consumer recycled fiber, and featuring the typical brown color used in double-sided adhesive tape liners

• Acti-V® Industrial RF Natural is a supercalendered release paper featuring a natural kraft color, based on a combination of post-consumer recycled cellulose fiber (at least 15%) and unbleached cellulose fibers

Both products offer improved circularity by replacing a portion of virgin fibers with post-consumer recycled fibers. The new Acti-V® Industrial RF Natural additionally eliminates the use of any dye, and is based on a raw materials mix that - according to Ahlstrom’s initial estimates* - could allow an overall reduction of 17% to 20% in carbon footprint compared to that of standard Acti-V® Industrial liners.” It can thus play a key role in reducing the carbon footprint of the final PSA tape.

The new products are designed for double side silicone coating and maintain the outstanding performance delivered by Ahlstrom’s proprietary Acti-V® technology, which allows a highly efficient silicone coating and converting process, showing potential reductions in consumption of energy, catalysts, and silicone.   

With manufacturing in Europe and the Americas, a proven track record of its Acti-V® and trulyNatural® technologies as well as its expertise in the use of post-consumer recycled fibers, Ahlstrom continues its pioneering innovation journey in release liners and is well positioned to bring to the market increasingly sustainable products, working side by side with the specialty tape industry and other technically demanding sectors worldwide.

*) Product carbon footprint estimate, % of reduction in fossil carbon in a cradle-to-gate study using secondary data from Ecoinvent v3.8 and GaBi professional database 2022. Primary data used for recycled fibers. The study will undergo a third-party verification in the coming months.