This sustainability initiative aims to collect silicone coated supercalendered papers (commonly known as "glassine") once they have been utilized as carriers of PSA labels by end-users, such as brand owners or retailers.
Glassine papers are typically used for labels on products including food packaging in Europe.
Material collection
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 make label printers and brand owners aware.
Ahlstrom's recycling capacity will absorb release liner waste of a significant number of end-users.
Divert from landfill
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.
"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," said Daniele Borlatto, executive vice president, label and processing.
"Such programs also reinforce the position of paper as a uniquely sustainable material for the PSA industry."
Ahlstrom operates five release papers production sites located in Europe (4) and South America (1) and all of them are ISO 14001, FSC and PEFC Chain of Custody certified.