Ahlstrom launches Acti V BIO release paper for medical adhesives

FINLAND – Ahlstrom has introduced Acti V BIO, a specialty paper formulated for release liners in pressure-sensitive adhesive healthcare products, engineered alongside multinational healthcare manufacturer Solventum to meet rigorous sterilisation and contamination limits.

The release base paper enters Ahlstrom’s proprietary Acti V portfolio as a controlled-bioburden grade, maintaining microbiological standards and stable performance across the medical supply chain. 

Projected end uses include surgical tapes, transdermal patches, wound care dressings, and wearable or diagnostic devices featuring adhesive components shielded by peel-off liners.

These applications demand materials that do not introduce microbial contamination or compromise adhesive performance during storage and use.

Collaboration Aligns Material Science With Clinical Requirements

Solventum outlined the testing protocols and bioburden benchmarks necessary to satisfy compliance standards in regulated healthcare sectors. 

David Brodersen, global senior director of sterilisation and microbiology at Solventum, said the company worked with Ahlstrom to reduce bioburden variability at the material level, helping manufacturers maintain greater consistency in finished product bioburden and reduce the potential for unexpected microbial challenges to validated sterilisation processes.

He added that the collaboration demonstrated the value of bringing together material science expertise and healthcare application knowledge to address evolving industry requirements.

Plant-Level Contamination Barriers Support Sterilisation

To minimise impurities and facilitate downstream product sterilisation, production pairs adjusted material specifications with plant-level contamination barriers and manufacturing protocols. 

Microbial counts are evaluated prior to sterilisation through accredited test protocols, with these assessments tracking the efficacy of upstream hygiene measures and assisting conversion facilities in preparing final sterilisation procedures. 

Controlling bioburden before sterilisation reduces the load that terminal sterilisation processes must handle, improving reliability for manufacturers operating validated medical device production lines.

Renewable Cellulose Materials Preserve Sustainability Advantages

Marco Martinez, head of sustainability and marketing for release liners at Ahlstrom, said Acti V BIO reflected the company’s commitment to developing innovative specialty materials that helped customers meet increasingly stringent healthcare requirements. 

He noted that the product was the result of a comprehensive development programme focused on supporting contamination control in demanding healthcare customer applications while preserving the sustainability advantages of renewable cellulose-based materials. 

The launch reflects growing demand for medical packaging and release liner materials that satisfy both microbiological compliance and sustainability targets, as healthcare manufacturers face pressure to reduce environmental impact without compromising patient safety.

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