VPF reduces virgin fibers with recycled paper release liner for self-adhesive labels

12 Mar 2021 --- Identifying a stable system to combine paper, silicone and adhesive was the major R&D hurdle behind VPF’s latest recycled paper release liner launch. 

Made with 70 percent FSC-certified 70 g/m2 kraft paper, the adhesive material specialist states its NSA700-476 variant is the first release liner predominantly made of recycled paper.

“In recycling papers, there are recycled parts that could migrate into the silicone, where migration release forces between adhesive and silicone could change or vary,” Kai Klimek, sales manager at VPF, tells PackagingInsights.

“So we first had to test every single permanent adhesive with the release liner. Then we had to do it again over months and finally we found perfect combinations.”

VPF now expects other competitors to follow, considering how the recycled release liners “definitely make sense” for sustainable self-adhesive materials.

Eco-friendly to the fore
Self-adhesive labeling relies on matrixes and release liners – strips of material that carry stickers until they are attached to packaging. Once labels are used, the waste strips are often difficult to recycle and usually end up in landfill.

By using majoritively recycled paper, up to 60 percent energy and up to 70 percent water can be saved in production, says VPF. The positive sustainability effect can be significantly increased even further by using environmentally friendly face materials from the VPF product range.The VPF release liner is made with 70 percent FSC-certified 70 g/m2 kraft paper.

“For example, these include 100 percent recycled, grass and bagasse papers, which are available for a wide range of applications,” says the company.

VPF has applied the Kraftliner NSA700-476 to all the usual tests and proven its long-term ageing resistance with all common dispersion acrylic and UV acrylic adhesives from the VPF portfolio. The material is further equipped with a slightly increased release value for paper and film face materials.

Innova Market Insights revealed “The Carbon Catalyst” as its second top packaging trend for 2021. Anti-plastic fervor has expanded into what could be coined the “Greta Thunberg effect.” Plastic pollution concern is undiminished but increasingly viewed as one of several environmental issues dominated by climate change.

Revving up release liners
Incorporating more recycled materials into release liners is a growing industry trend. Last month, Mondi expanded its release liner range with the launch of two paper-based EverLiner products. The liners are created using recycled and light-weight materials and provide a more sustainable solution for a range of applications

Mondi also launched NextLiner, using recycled base paper and resins made from renewable resources last July.

Ensuring this trend sustains, over 30 packaging companies formed a consortium to promote global recycling for the self-adhesive labeling industry. Circular Economy for Labels (CELAB) comprises some of the industry’s most prominent players and aims to ensure the 1.6 tons of label liners sold each year are recycled.

By Anni Schleicher