Ahlstrom, a global leader in fiber-based specialty materials, introduces 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 next-generation product advances circularity with a breakthrough recyclability rating of Recyclable with Paper¹.

The new Acti-V® RRF Natural liner builds on Ahlstrom innovative 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.

Ahlstrom's new Acti-V® RRF Natural addresses these challenges and offers further improvements:

• Recyclable With Paper: measured with the CEPI Recyclability Test Method¹, Europe's paper recyclability standard of reference. A first for a double-side silicone-coated supercalendered release liner--supporting PSA tape producers and users in meeting ambitious circularity targets.

• Unbleached strength, lighter weight: The unbleached fiber mix delivers higher mechanical robustness, enabling the use of reduced paper basis weight without loss of performance. Lower liner weight further amplifies carbon footprint reduction per square meter of product or per tape unit².

• Lower carbon footprint: Building on Acti-V® RF Natural's low-impact raw-material composition, allows a reduction of carbon footprint beyond 25% compared to standard ActiV® Industrial liners, thanks to the possibility to use lighter liner weight².

• Circular fiber content: As with all Ahlstrom Acti-V® RF Natural liners, the new RRF formulation incorporates at least 15% PCR fibers and contains no dyes, supporting fiber recovery and simplified repulping.

• Acti-V® technology inside: Ahlstrom's proprietary Acti-V® release liner technology maintains outstanding coating and converting efficiency, with opportunities to reduce energy, catalyst, and silicone consumption during silicone 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", says 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.