The rapidly growing e-commerce packaging market faces a sustainability challenge.
In peel-and-seal packaging, a release liner covers the adhesive strip used to seal the package. During packing, the user simply peels away the release liner to expose the adhesive, then presses the flap down to securely close the package. The liner prevents dust or damage to the adhesive before use, ensuring a strong, clean seal—crucial for secure shipping. Millions of square metres of release liner are consumed each year in ecommerce packaging, creating a high carbon footprint for the industry.
With new sustainability regulations coming into force and no comparable sustainable solutions available, the industry needs a breakthrough.
The Solution: Techlan’s Re-Liner™
Techlan collects used release liners discarded during aerospace, automotive, and composite manufacturing. Using its patented cleaning technology, it repurposes them into Re-Liner™ — a premium recycled liner which can be used by e-commerce packaging manufacturers for their peel & seal packaging. It has the same reliability as virgin liners, but with far less cost & environmental impact.
A major environmental benefit of Re-Liner is that it can create a measurable 67% Co2 saving over an existing prime grade or new release liner. This isn’t just recycling – it’s a complete reimagining of how release liners work in the supply chain. The same release paper that would have been used once and thrown away can now be cleaned, processed, and used again.
How the Technology Works
- Waste silicone release liners are collected from industrial manufacturing processes
- The patented cleaning technology removes contamination from both sides
- The process uses renewable energy sources with minimal power consumption
- No water or harmful chemicals are used
- High Quality control systems for ongoing assurance.
- Re-Liner is converted to the customers required sizes
Re-Liner is available in pancakes / coils and in spools / bobbin format.
Gluecom’s Critical Role
Now, this partnership with Ace Adhesives, as part of the Gluecom Group, brings that proven innovation to the exploding e-commerce market. But recycled release liners are only as good as the adhesive that works with them – this is where our expertise becomes critical.
Gluecom’s reliable supply chain, with stock availability and delivery within 5 days, enables Techlan to maintain their rapid turnaround times that give e-commerce manufacturers such a competitive advantage over traditional suppliers.
Our Hotmelts Deliver:
- Precision-engineered release properties for Techlan’s recycled surfaces
- Consistent performance across production runs
- Excellent flow properties for high-speed manufacturing
- Controlled low coating weights to maximise performance while delivering additional environmental benefits
Combined Solution Advantages
- Cost-effective pricing beating prime grade release liners
- Monthly carbon reports providing measurable ESG impact
- High-quality assured product performing at high line speeds
- Short lead times improving flexibility
- Small minimum orders improving cash flow
Flexible formats: Available in coils, pancakes, spools or bobbins converted to customer requirements
This isn’t just theory – the e-commerce Re-Liner™ solution is already delivering results in the field. The Cardboard Box Company has been using a combination of Techlan’s recycled release liners and Gluecom’s adhesive expertise for their e-commerce packaging production line, fundamentally changing how they approach both sustainability and supply chain management.
Since implementing the solution, they have transformed their operations from relying on virgin materials with lengthy lead times to a flexible, sustainable system that better serves their e-commerce clients. The consistency of performance has exceeded expectations, with production teams reporting seamless integration into existing manufacturing processes
“The combination of Techlan’s Re-Liner™ with Gluecom’s adhesive expertise has transformed our production efficiency. We’re seeing consistent performance across all our e-commerce packaging lines, with the added benefit of significantly reducing our environmental impact. The short lead times have been a game-changer for our cash flow, and our customers love that we can offer them truly sustainable packaging without any compromise on quality.”
Nick Lee, Operations Director, The Cardboard Box Company
The Goal
E-commerce represents Techlan’s biggest opportunity yet. The combination of massive volume growth, sustainability pressure, and supply chain challenges makes it the perfect market for this complete sustainable solution.
What this means for the industry:
- E-commerce manufacturers can access proven sustainable products without performance compromises
- Demonstrates that recycled materials can outperform traditional alternatives
- Creates new market category combining sustainability with superior supply chain flexibility
This partnership proves that with the right innovation and expertise, businesses can lead on environmental responsibility while improving operational efficiency and competitive position.