SCK Release Liner Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Material Type (Plastic-based, Paper-based), By Liner Type (One-sided release liner, Double-sided release liner), By Substrate Type (Silicone-coated SCK liners, Non-silicone coated SCK liners), By End-Use Industry (Packaging, Healthcare, Consumer goods, Industrial manufacturing, Retail, Automotive, Others), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 4.71 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	6.67%
Fastest Growing Segment	Automotive
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 6.94 Billion

Market Overview

The Global SCK Release Liner Market will grow from USD 4.71 Billion in 2025 to USD 6.94 Billion by 2031 at a 6.67% CAGR. Super Calendered Kraft (SCK) release liner is a dense and highly processed paper substrate characterized by its superior smoothness and uniform caliper, primarily serving as a silicone-coated carrier for pressure-sensitive adhesives in labeling and industrial tape applications. The market is fundamentally supported by the expansion of the global e-commerce sector which necessitates robust logistics labeling solutions and a growing industrial preference for paper-based materials over plastic films to meet corporate sustainability objectives. These drivers create a steady demand for high-performance liners that offer consistent die-cutting properties and efficient dispensing speeds.

One significant challenge that could impede market expansion is the lack of widespread recycling infrastructure for silicone-coated paper waste which often results in disposal costs and environmental concerns. The magnitude of this issue is substantial given the volume of material generated annually. According to TLMI, in 2025, the annual production of paper and filmic release liners was estimated at nearly 600,000 tons, highlighting the critical need for effective circular economy solutions to manage this significant output.

Key Market Drivers

The surge in e-commerce and logistics packaging demand drives market growth by necessitating high volumes of variable information labels for tracking and identification. SCK release liners are essential in this sector due to their superior caliper consistency and durability during high-speed thermal transfer printing and automated application processes. As consumers and businesses increasingly rely on rapid delivery networks, the throughput of parcel shipping generates a parallel requirement for pressure-sensitive shipping labels, directly increasing the consumption of paper-based liners. This correlation is evidenced by logistics volume trends; according to Pitney Bowes, June 2025, in the 'Parcel Shipping Index', United States parcel volume reached 22.4 billion shipments in 2024, marking a 3.4% increase over the prior year. Such escalation in shipping activity compels manufacturers to scale production of robust SCK liners that ensure seamless label dispensing in fast-paced distribution centers.

Simultaneously, the rising preference for sustainable and recyclable paper liners is reshaping industry standards as brands seek to align packaging components with circular economy goals. SCK liners offer a distinct environmental advantage over filmic alternatives when responsibly sourced, addressing intense regulatory pressure to minimize packaging waste. Manufacturers are responding by enhancing the chain-of-custody certification of their substrates to validate environmental claims. According to Mondi, September 2024, in a corporate press release, more than 95% of its release liners and extrusion solutions are now sourced from certified base paper, underscoring this industry-wide shift toward transparent sourcing. This transition is occurring amidst a broader market rebound; according to FINAT, July 2025, European labelstock demand experienced a 15% recovery in 2024 following previous declines. Consequently, certified SCK liners are increasingly becoming a standard specification for converters aiming to meet both performance and ecological criteria.

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Key Market Challenges

The absence of a widespread recycling infrastructure for silicone-coated paper waste constitutes a formidable barrier to the growth of the Global SCK Release Liner Market. Unlike standard paper products, SCK liners feature a silicone coating that acts as a contaminant in conventional paper recycling streams, necessitating specialized de-siliconization processes and dedicated collection logistics. Because these specific recycling facilities are scarce and often geographically dispersed, end-users encounter significant operational complexities and elevated disposal costs, frequently resorting to landfilling or incineration. This reality creates a direct conflict with the sustainability mandates of major brand owners, who are increasingly scrutinizing their supply chains for non-recyclable waste to meet strict environmental targets.

Consequently, this infrastructure gap limits market penetration by rendering SCK liners less attractive compared to alternative materials with established recovery pathways. The inability to easily circularize this material discourages high-volume adoption in eco-conscious sectors, effectively dampening demand despite the substrate's performance benefits. The scale of this unrecovered material is immense; according to CELAB Europe, in 2024, the European region alone generated nearly 500,000 tons of paper release liner waste, the vast majority of which faced limited end-of-life options due to the lack of accessible recycling solutions. This substantial volume of unmanaged waste highlights a critical bottleneck that continues to restrict the broader expansion of the SCK liner market.

Key Market Trends

Manufacturers are increasingly integrating post-consumer recycled (PCR) waste and responsibly sourced fibers into SCK liners to meet circular economy goals without compromising mechanical strength. This shift reduces reliance on virgin wood pulp while maintaining the precise caliper required for high-speed label dispensing. Major producers are validating the feasibility of these materials in industrial applications; according to Ahlstrom, March 2025, in the 'Sustainability Report 2024', the company successfully introduced a new generation of release papers containing up to 30% recycled fiber, demonstrating that sustainability targets can be met alongside rigorous performance standards for pressure-sensitive adhesive laminates.

Industry players are also establishing specialized collection and repulping ecosystems that allow spent SCK liners to be retrieved from end-users and recycled back into high-quality pulp or new products. These programs address historical disposal challenges by creating a functional reverse logistics infrastructure that diverts silicone-coated waste from landfills. The effectiveness of these circular strategies is becoming measurable; according to Fedrigoni, May 2025, in the '2024 Sustainability Statement', the company achieved a 92.4% waste recovery rate in 2024, a milestone significantly supported by its dedicated Re-Play collection service which upcycles recovered liner material into premium labeling solutions.

Segmental Insights

The automotive segment stands out as the fastest-growing category in the Global SCK Release Liner Market. This upward trend is primarily driven by the increasing adoption of pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes which replace traditional mechanical fasteners to achieve vehicle lightweighting and improved fuel economy. Furthermore, compliance with strict emission regulations established by organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency necessitates effective noise and vibration dampening materials. Super Calendered Kraft liners provide the essential density and surface consistency required to manufacture these adhesive solutions, thereby securing their expanding role in modern vehicle assembly.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the Global SCK Release Liner Market, driven by the substantial demand for pressure-sensitive labels within the logistics and pharmaceutical sectors. The region benefits from a robust manufacturing infrastructure that supports high-volume production of labels for diverse end-use applications. Furthermore, strict adherence to safety standards mandated by the Food and Drug Administration promotes the usage of compliant release liners in medical and food packaging. This regulatory environment, combined with sustained activity in the retail and e-commerce spaces, ensures consistent regional market dominance.

Recent Developments

• In September 2025, Avery Dennison, a global materials science company prominent in the release liner market, expanded its AD Circular recycling program through a strategic partnership with Soprema, a specialist in waterproofing and insulation. This collaboration focused on the recycling of paper-based release liners, which are often used in the Super Calendered Kraft (SCK) segment. Under this agreement, Soprema committed to collecting used liners across Europe and converting them into cellulose wadding for building insulation. This initiative aimed to enhance the circularity of release liners by diverting significant volumes of waste from landfills and repurposing them into long-lasting construction materials.
• In September 2025, Ahlstrom, a major manufacturer in the Global SCK Release Liner Market, showcased an expanded portfolio of fiber-based specialty materials at Labelexpo Europe. The company introduced new variations of its proprietary release papers, specifically highlighting its supercalendered kraft (SCK) products designed for pressure-sensitive adhesive applications. These new liners were engineered to lower environmental impact by incorporating post-consumer recycled fibers and unbleached cellulose, catering to the growing demand for sustainable labeling solutions. The launch demonstrated Ahlstrom's commitment to advancing product performance and circularity within the release liner industry.
• In September 2024, Mondi, a leading packaging and paper group, achieved a significant sustainability milestone in its release liner operations. The company announced that it had successfully transitioned over 95% of its entire range of release liners and extrusion solutions to base papers certified by the PEFC and FSC. This operational shift was directly relevant to the SCK release liner market, as it ensured that the wood fiber used in their paper liners originated from responsibly managed forests. The move was part of Mondi's broader strategy to improve supply chain transparency and offer products that supported the sustainability goals of their customers in the self-adhesive industry.
• In July 2024, UPM Raflatac, a key player in the labeling and release liner sector, entered into a collaborative partnership with Sustana, a provider of sustainable fiber-based products, to enhance release liner recycling in North America. This cooperation focused on recycling paper release liner waste, a category that includes SCK liners, which had historically been difficult to recycle due to silicone coatings. Through this partnership, the companies aimed to utilize advanced desiliconization technology to process the collected liners and convert them into high-quality recycled fiber. This development provided a viable end-of-life solution for liner waste, addressing a critical challenge in the Global SCK Release Liner Market.

Key Market Players

• Ahlstrom Oyj
• Loparex LLC
• UPM-Kymmene Corporation
• Mondi Plc
• LINTEC Corporation
• Nordic Paper Holding AB
• Delfort Group
• Xinfeng Group
• Siliconature S.p.A.
• Laufenberg GmbH

By Material Type	By Liner Type	By Substrate Type	By End-Use Industry	By Region
Plastic-based Paper-based	One-sided release liner Double-sided release liner	Silicone-coated SCK liners Non-silicone coated SCK liners	Packaging Healthcare Consumer goods Industrial manufacturing Retail Automotive Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global SCK Release Liner Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• SCK Release Liner Market, By Material Type:

• Plastic-based
• Paper-based

• SCK Release Liner Market, By Liner Type:

• One-sided release liner
• Double-sided release liner

• SCK Release Liner Market, By Substrate Type:

• Silicone-coated SCK liners
• Non-silicone coated SCK liners

• SCK Release Liner Market, By End-Use Industry:

• Packaging
• Healthcare
• Consumer goods
• Industrial manufacturing
• Retail
• Automotive
• Others

• SCK Release Liner Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE