Release Liners Market

Release Liners Market

The global release liners market is valued at USD 12.7 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 15.4 billion by 2029, growing at 4.0% cagr from 2024 to 2029. The global release liners market is expected to experience significant growth driven by increasing demand from the packaging industry, especially from pharmaceuticals, food & beverages, and personal care. These sectors rely on pressure-sensitive labels and tapes, which require release liners. The booming e-commerce sector also plays an important role in fueling the demand for efficient packaging solutions, further boosting the demand for release liners. The rising adoption of sustainable and recyclable release liner materials also contributes to the growing demand for release liners.

Attractive Opportunities in the Release Liners Market

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Release Liners Market Dynamics

Driver: Strong demand from packaging industry

Increasing use of release liners in the packaging industry is one of the key growth drivers. The packaging industry is growing extensively due to the rising surge of global consumer demand for packaged goods due to ever-increasing urbanization, e-commerce, and changing consumer preferences. With that growth comes an increased need for high-performing packaging, which must be made of more advanced materials to meet respective performance and durability expectations. In producing labels, tapes, and other adhesive products, release liners play a major role in addressing the changing requirements of the packaging sector.

Asendia Management SAS is a global e-commerce and mail services provider based in Paris, and based on its report, retail e-commerce sales in 2021 were USD 4. 9 trillion worldwide. Similarly, this retail sales is expected to increase by 50% over the next four years to about 7.4 trillion dollars by 2025. Pressure-sensitive labels have also been widely adopted in packaging for branding, identification, and tamper-evident protection, where release liners are critical. Release liners play a critical role in creating pressure-sensitive labels; these are commonly employed in packaging for branding and identification and tamper-evident purposes.

However, sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the packaging sector as companies and customers demand environmentally friendly materials. Market participants are responding to this trend by using recyclable and biodegradable materials. Growth in release liner demand is driven by sustainability initiatives within the packaging industry, which helps encourage radical changes requiring new materials and processes. The rising need for advanced solutions would continue to propel the market further in a global packaging ecosystem.

Restraints: Preference for shrink-sleeve labels over pressure-sensitive labels

Globally, emerging alternatives are increasingly undermining the preeminent position of traditional glue-applied and pressure-sensitive label technologies. Although sleeve labels have already secured a considerable market share in the developed regions of North America and Europe, these labels are outpacing the older format, especially glue-applied labels in developing areas. In addition, sleeve labels are becoming attractive throughout a variety of industries. Their aesthetic appeal and functional advantages make them an emerging market threat to pressure-sensitive labels. In addition, this type of label includes aesthetic advantages for companies and facilitates operations in the retail environment.

These labels are made from shrink films printed in digital printers. When exposed to heat, they shrink and cover the shape of the container or the product. This process leads to a fine, glossy label that merges well with the packaging of the product. Shrink-sleeve labels can be credited for presenting an even greater area for branding and promotional material than traditional label designs, thus offering better chances for attracting the consumer’s attention. Besides, they offer wide coverage that makes them suitable for products exposed to areas containing moisture, such as showers and refrigerators. The graphics are also printed on the interior of the sleeve, thereby ensuring that they are not easily damaged by friction, rough handling, or environmental factors. In the dynamic market environment, most producers of pressure-sensitive labels may require upgrading to shrink-sleeve label technology or face business failure. This could affect the demand for release liners in pressure-sensitive labels until shrink-sleeve labels gain market acceptance.

Opportunity: Investments in R&D activities

The release liners market is witnessing demand from the packaging sector due to the need for environment-friendly and sustainable alternatives. The packaging industry has seen an important part of this innovation using more sustainable raw materials. This trend is also evident in the release liners industry, which are primary elements in multiple adhesive products. Release liners were often made of paper or plastic with a thin silicone layer. In the current scenario, release liners are being reinvented, with manufacturers using sustainable materials. The market is marked by the preference for release liners manufactured from recycled material.

The transition towards sustainability represents an opportunity for release liners market players to innovate and cater to the increasing need for environmentally friendly packaging solutions. This allows them to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. Regulatory pressures and corporate sustainability goals also encourage a move from reliance on virgin plastics and other non-renewable resources, leading to increased interest in sustainable release liners. There is a huge market potential for these recyclable release liners solutions, with the food & beverage, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods industries trending increasingly towards sustainable packaging.

Several key players have taken strides in this field with their launches of recyclable or biodegradable release liners. A good example is the “RafCycle program” launched by UPM Raflatac, a global leader in labeling materials and recycling release liners and other label waste for new use. In a similar vein, Avery Dennison has unveiled its “CleanFlake” release liner to help PET packaging recyclability. The Mondi Group has also created fit-for-purpose, environmentally friendly release liners in line with the rapidly expanding sustainable packaging market. These steps reflect industrial commitment toward sustainability efforts and pave the way for commercial prospects in the release liners market when it comes to nurturing environment-friendly developments.

Challenges: Disposable of release liner waste

One major issue concerning the release liners market is disposing of waste. Typically used as backing material for labels, tapes, and other adhesive products, release liners are made of paper or film coated on one or two sides with silicone. While necessary for protecting adhesive surfaces, these liners are wasted after they are peeled away and (after the product is applied) discarded. The wide usage of release liners results in significant waste accumulation over time.

One of the main problems with release liner waste is the silicon coating, which hinders recycling. Because most traditional recycling facilities are not set up to easily recycle these materials, most release liners end up in landfills or incinerated. This leads to environmental pollution and waste of reusable materials.

The development of recycling programs targeted to release liners (where the silicone coating is removed and the base material recycled) has been one approach to address this challenge. In addition, many companies are looking into biodegradable or more readily recyclable materials for release liners. Although these programs are in place, the lack of widespread infrastructure and education around them does mean that disposal is a big issue. As they endeavor to reduce their waste, the industry is looking for more sustainable ways to handle release liners.

Release Liners Market: ECOSYSTEM

Silicon-based release liners are projected to form the fastest-growing material segment in the release liners market.

Silicon-based release liners are expected to form the fastest-growing type in the release liners market. This increase stems from the material’s superior attributes, such as outstanding release characteristics, temperature resistance, and compatibility with a large number of adhesives. Over time, there will be a growing inclination towards silicon-based release liners across various industries, including medical, electronics, and packaging, where precision and reliability become imperative. Silicon coating technologies perform well with liner applications, and this encourages additional demand. Silicon-based release liners are leading the market as they provide versatility and high performance, making them preferable to manufacturers in other industries continuously innovating their product offerings.

Films are the fastest-growing segment in the release liners market, by substrate.

By substrate, films show the highest growth in the market. This growth is attributed to several factors, including the rising demand for lightweight, durable, and multifunctional products in numerous end-user industries like packaging, automobile, electrical and electronics, and medical. Film-based release liners can be produced from polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), etc., which boast moisture resistance, dimensional stability, and smooth surface finish, making them suitable for high-performance applications. Also, there is increased awareness of the sustainable use of materials, such as recyclable and biodegradable film liners, which drives the market’s growth. Due to improvements in production technologies and the rising concern of consumers for eco-friendly products, the film segment is projected to sustain its impressive growth in the future.

Labels accounted for the largest share in the release liner applications market.

Release liners are essential in the labeling industry as they offer a protective layer that ensures the adhesive used in the labels does not stick before storage, transportation, or application. They ensure that labels are easily attachable to different types of surfaces while preserving the adhesive’s performance until it is actually needed. The growing need for release liners in the labels segment is attributed to the increasing e-commerce sector, higher production of consumer goods, and the adoption of automation in the labeling process across several industries. Thus, the higher demand for efficiency and accuracy in packaging will push the demand for higher-quality release liners, especially in the food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and logistics industries, where labeling is paramount in product identification, branding, and meeting regulatory requirements.

Asia Pacific is estimated to be the fastest-growing region in the release liners market.

The Asia Pacific region is estimated to be the fastest-growing release liners market. The growth is largely because of the booming industrial base in the region and growing demand from the packaging & labeling industry. The other reason could be rising e-commerce activities. This growth in the release liners market is led by China, India, and Japan due to their large consumer markets and the presence of key manufacturers. In addition, the increasing population and disposable income, along with urbanization in these countries, will continue to escalate the demand for release liners, especially across industries such as food & beverage, healthcare, and consumer goods. Therefore, the Asia Pacific region is establishing itself as an important market for global production and consumption of release liners. It is expected to continue its growth throughout the forecast period.

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Release Liners Market Players

The leading players in the release liners market are 3M (US), Mondi (Austria), Ahlstrom (Finland), Loparex (US), LINTEC Corporation (Japan), Sappi (South Africa), Polyplex Corporation Ltd. (India), Gascogne (France), UPM (Finland), and Avery Dennison Corporation (US), which are the top manufacturers covered in the release liners market. Expansions, product launches, mergers & acquisitions, and deals were some of the major strategies adopted by these key players to enhance their positions in the release liners market. A major focus was given to expansions and deals.

This research report categorizes the release liners market based on material type, end-use industry,  application, and region.

Release Liners Market Report Scope

Release liners market, By Material

• Silicone
• Non-Silicone

Release liners market, By Substrate

• Glassine/Calendered Kraft Paper
• Polyolefin Coated Paper
• Clay Coated Paper
• Films
• Other Papers

Release liners market, By Application

• Labels
• Pressure-sensitive tapes
• Hygiene
• Industrial
• Graphic Arts
• Medical
• Other Applications

Release liners market, By Labeling technology

• Pressure-sensitive
• Glue Applied
• Sleeving
• In-mold

Release liners market, By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Recent Developments

• In February 2024, Loparex launched its Bubble Liner Technology to enhance the performance and efficiency of release liners in construction applications. The technology boasts anti-skid properties, improving safety and handling. It also offers superior temperature and pressure resistance.
• In October 2023, UPM Specialty Papers and Lohmann partnered to address challenges in paper liner recycling in the tape industry. The partnership is a concerted effort to enhance sustainability practices within the sector by promoting circular economy principles.
• In June 2023, Ahlstrom launched Acti-V Industrial liners designed for double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) tapes, incorporating recycled and unbleached fibers. These products aim to improve sustainability in tape manufacturing by using post-consumer recycled fibers and unbleached cellulose fibers. They are designed to maintain high performance while reducing environmental impact.
• In May 2023, Mondi partnered with Beiersdorf, a German multinational personal-care company, to develop a recyclable release liner suitable for the Beiersdorf GREEN & PROTECT wound care plaster range. The new liner uses a special type of silicone sourced from non-fossil sources.

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