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. 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 utilizes its contacts across the value chain in order to make label printers and brand owners aware sof this new opportunity.

Ahlstrom's recycling capacity will be sufficient to absorb release liner waste of a significant number of end-users. 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" says 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"

Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials Division supports this initiative, as engaging local value chain partners is essential in driving self-sustaining waste recycling programs for the self-adhesive industry.

Ahlstrom is a global leading producer of release papers for the PSA industry. It operates five release papers production sites located in Europe (4) and South America (1). All of them are ISO 14001, FSC(TM) and PEFC(TM) Chain of Custody certified, and are part of Ahlstrom's Label and Processing business area.

Ahlstrom in brief
Ahlstrom is a high performance materials company, partnering with leading businesses around the world to help them stay ahead. Our products are used in a large variety of everyday applications, such as filters, medical gowns and drapes, wallcoverings, flooring, labels and food packaging. We have a leading market position in the businesses in which we operate. Our 5,200 employees serve customers in 28 countries on six continents. In 2011, Ahlstrom's net sales amounted to EUR 1.6 billion. The company's share is quoted on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. More information is available at www.ahlstrom.com.