Studies & Whitepapers

CELAB: Toward a Circular Economy for Labels, is publishing this white paper to provide basic technical information on recycling on a ‘global’ basis. CELAB’s Technical Workstream, under the leadership of Alex Knott, Senior Scientist at The Dow Chemical Company, conducted a technical review of release liner recycling to understand existing recycling technology. CELAB collected non-proprietary information on current processes by obtaining input from raw materials producers (paper and silicone), recycled paper producers, recycling companies (collection) and industry organizations to
understand the impact of release liner on final recycled paper product and on paper process.

CELAB: Toward a Circular Economy for Labels is publishing this white paper to provide basic technical information on release liner recycling on a “global” basis. CELAB’s Technical Workstream, under the leadership of Alex Knott, Senior Scientist at The Dow Chemical Company, conducted a technical review of release liner recycling to understand existing recycling technology. CELAB collected non-proprietary information on current processes by obtaining input from raw materials producers (films and silicone), liner producers, recycling companies (collection) and industry organizations to understand the impact of release liner on final recycled film products and their manufacturing processes.

Under the leadership of Alex Knott, Senior Scientist at The Dow Chemical Company, CELAB is currently conducting a technical review of release liner recycling to understand existing recycling technology by gathering information on current processes. CELAB is preparing a white paper on paper liner recycling to share with the wider label industry. The white paper will include input from raw materials producers (paper and silicone), recycled paper producers, recycling companies (collection) and industry organizations to understand the impact of release liner not only on final recycled paper product but also on paper process.

The objective of this white paper is to provide basic technical information on recycling on a ‘global’ basis, without sharing ‘proprietary’ process information.

Alexander Watson Associates (AWA) recently conducted a market research study for CELAB. The study, Pressure Sensitive Labeling Release Liner Generation and Recycling, was commissioned by CELAB member Avery Dennison to assess the recycling rates and technologies used to enable circularity for both PET and Paper release line. The study reports on the current state of volumes, recycling rates and current recycling capabilities that can be adopted around the world, and includes a quantitative assessment of the worldwide market, by key geographic regions for paper and PET release liner, that provides insights into the current end-of-life disposition.
The AWA study, using standardized metrics, applied consistently, provides a benchmark that will help the self-adhesive label industry measure progress at regular intervals. A summary of the study and more information is available here.