Ahlstrom, a global leader in fiber-based specialty materials, has launched Acti-V RRF Natural, the next evolution of the sustainable Acti-V Industrial RF Natural release liner for double-sided Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA) tapes. The product advances circularity with a breakthrough recyclability rating of recyclable with paper.
The new Acti-V RRF Natural liner builds on Ahlstrom low-impact design, leveraging recycled and unbleached fibers, while also enabling end-of-life recyclability of the product. The new repulpable RRF formulation enables recyclability even when silicone-coated on both sides. Double-sided PSA tapes are used in countless products, joining materials with strength, durability, and precision. Their silicone-coated paper release liners protect and carry the adhesive until application, ensuring consistent processing and performance. Liners that are typically high-density supercalendered papers silicone-coated on both sides have been difficult to recycle into new pulp and paper products. They score as Not Recyclable in laboratory testing due to hydrophobic surfaces and high reject rates, the company said.
The Acti-V RRF Natural is designed to improve recyclability and reduce environmental impact in the PSA tape sector. The product is recyclable with paper, as measured by the CEPI recyclability test method, Europe’s reference standard. Its unbleached fiber mix delivers higher mechanical robustness, enabling reduced paper basis weight without compromising performance and supporting lower carbon footprint per square meter of product or per tape unit.
Building on Acti-V RF Natural’s low-impact raw material composition, the new liner enables a carbon footprint reduction of more than 25% compared with standard ActiV Industrial liners. It incorporates at least 15% PCR fibers, contains no dyes to support fiber recovery, and features Ahlstrom’s proprietary Acti-V technology to maintain coating and converting efficiency while offering opportunities to reduce energy, catalyst and silicone consumption during coating.
“Developing better material solutions is our ongoing commitment. This innovation sets out a new benchmark for double-sided tape liners. By combining recyclability, lower impact and weight, and proven performance, we help tape producers and users meet ambitious sustainability goals without compromising quality and efficiency,” said Marco Troglia, vice president, release liners.
With paper release liner manufacturing across multiple sites in Europe and the Americas and a proven track record in Acti-V and truly Natural technologies, Ahlstrom continues to pioneer sustainable release liners for the specialty tape industry and other technically demanding sectors worldwide.