Ahlstrom expands sustainable materials portfolio for PSA labels

Ahlstrom has expanded its range of sustainable materials for pressure-sensitive adhesive labeling with the acquisition of the Stevens Point facility in Wisconsin, US. 

The acquisition has further broadened Ahlstrom’s manufacturing platform and added unique complementary product capabilities, offering pressure-sensitive adhesive customers worldwide a larger number of high-quality, sustainable choices. 

New PSA labeling portfolio includes best-in-class UniTherm label papers for superior thermal transfer barcode printing, OptiPrime semi-gloss papers for prime label UV inkjet printing and digital printing, and sustainable OptiPrime semi-gloss label options that support circularity due to up to 30 percent PCR fiber content. 

'Identifying better materials is our ongoing commitment. Ahlstrom's recent innovations in release and label papers have raised the standards of performance, process efficiency, and environmental impact. Building on that, our teams in Europe, the US and Brazil continue to collaborate with customers and suppliers, striving to make the pressure-sensitive industry more sustainable and resilient,' said Marco Troglia, vice president, release liners.  

Beyond PSA labeling applications, Ahlstrom also supports customers worldwide with a broad offering of high-performance Glassine, SCK and CCK liners for use in specialty tape, industrial, fiber-composites, graphics, food and medical applications, with multiple production plants for release and label papers in Europe, North America and South America.

Ahlstrom will showcase its expanded range of release and label papers at Labelexpo Europe 2025.  

The comprehensive product range will include innovative low-impact supercalendered release papers that help lower environmental impact and improve circularity, while maintaining the benefits of Ahlstrom’s proprietary Acti-V technology, a highly efficient silicone coating and curing process, with opportunities to reduce the consumption of energy, catalysts and silicone. 

The Acti-V RF liners, based on a carefully selected blend of cellulose materials, support circularity by using 15 percent PCR fiber in manufacturing. They are available in light yellow and white shade versions. 

Acti-V RF natural liners include a blend of at least 50 percent unbleached fibers, 15 percent PCR fiber and do not contain any dyes. The unique composition supports circularity and reduces the overall carbon footprint, while giving a distinctive natural look to the liner and the PSA laminate. At the same time, unbleached fibers make the liner even stronger and safer, even at a lighter basis weight.