Elkem Silicones has launched two 100% recycled silicone-based additions to its release liner Silcolease range. Silcolease RE Poly 11362 and Silcolease RE Poly 368 are now available for pre-commercial sales and are solvent free products based on fully recycled silicones, said Elkem.

The products, according to the Norwegian supplier, offer "superior carbon profiles and deliver identical technical performance to their non-recycled counterparts". They are the first commercial products from Elkem's chemical recycling pilot unit in Saint Fons, France.

The products deliver "the same non-stick properties and easy release of self-adhesive materials [that] our customers expect from us", said Agnes Jolly, head of research & technology for silicone fluids at Elkem. The company said it has conducted "extensive tests and trials" to ensure a seamless integration into existing processes.

Elkem carried out trials with German machinery maker Kroenert GmbH & Co KG earlier in the year to validate the performance of the recycled silicone. The products, it said, demonstrated "the same processing capabilities as virgin ones, even when running at high processing speed".

The materials were developed using Elkem's depolymerization technology and are claimed to have a 70% lower carbon footprint compared to their non-recycled counterparts.