Ahlstrom announces paper release liner recycling initiative

Ahlstrom has announced a new initiative for recycling silicone coated paper release liners used by the pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) label industry.

This sustainability initiative aims to collect silicone coated supercalendered papers – known as glassine – once they have been utilized as carriers of PSA labels by end-users, such as brand owners or retailers.

Ahlstrom will collect the materials through one or more logistics partners and will recycle them into specialty paper production at its Osnabrück plant in Germany. Glassine paper release liners will be picked-up at no cost from end-users anywhere in Germany, Belgium, Luxemburg and the Netherlands, provided a minimum quantity of two tons per load.

Avery Dennison label and packaging materials division will support this initiative and utilize its contacts across the value chain in order to spread awareness of the opportunity amongst label printers and brand owners.

Ahlstrom said its recycling capacity will be sufficient to absorb release liner waste of a significant number of end-users. ‘The initiative increases the recycling options available in the market and will help divert paper liner waste from landfill or incineration, while increasing the quantities recycled into paper’.

Daniele Borlatto, executive vice president, label and processing, Ahlstrom, said: ‘Thanks to Ahlstrom Osnabrück’s convenient location in north-western Germany and the support of Avery Dennison, we trust this program will offer PSA label end-users an opportunity to increase their overall environmental performance.’

He concluded: ‘Such programs also reinforce the position of paper as a uniquely sustainable material for the PSA industry.’

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