Top 10 Companies in the Kraft Release Paper Market (2026): Market Leaders Powering Global Packaging

Market Insight Overview

The Kraft Release Paper market is positioned at a pivotal juncture, where evolving packaging demands, tightening regulatory standards, and sustainability imperatives converge to reshape the supply chain. The shift from petrochemical to fiber‑based release liners, coupled with the adoption of low‑emission coatings, is redefining product performance expectations across hygiene, automotive, and construction sectors.

What Is Kraft Release Paper?

Kraft release paper is a lignocellulosic substrate, typically coated with silicone or polymeric agents, that functions as a release liner for pressure‑sensitive adhesives, label backing, and composite lay‑up. Its porous surface and high tensile strength ensure reliable separation while minimizing residue, making it indispensable across hygiene, automotive, and construction sectors.

Top 10 Companies in the Kraft Release Paper Market (2026)

1. Loparex

   Headquarters: Netherlands
   Key Offering: Silicone‑free clay‑coated release liners for hygiene and automotive applications

   Loparex has expanded its clay‑coated production line by 9% in 2024, delivering a 5% volume increase driven by the launch of a silicone‑free grade that meets emerging regulatory requirements for additive reduction. The company’s focus on sustainable coating chemistry aligns with global zero‑waste initiatives, providing a competitive edge in high‑performance markets.

   Sustainability & Growth Initiatives: Development of low‑VOC, silicone‑free coatings; investment in closed‑loop recycling of pulp streams; partnership with automotive OEMs to secure long‑term supply contracts.

   • 5% volume growth in 2024
   • Silicone‑free grade launch
   • Partnership with major automotive players
   • Investment in closed‑loop recycling

2. Mondi

   Headquarters: Austria/UK
   Key Offering: Clay‑coated release liners for composite and construction markets

   With recent acquisitions in Brazil and Vietnam, Mondi has increased its clay‑coated capacity by 9%, positioning it to meet the rising demand from composite manufacturers and construction sealants. The company’s emphasis on eco‑friendly coatings and stringent quality controls ensures reliable performance across high‑temperature applications.

   Sustainability & Growth Initiatives: Expansion of production in emerging markets; development of bio‑based coating formulations; commitment to reducing carbon footprint across the value chain.

   • 9% capacity expansion in 2024
   • Bio‑based coating research
   • Strategic joint ventures in Brazil and Vietnam
   • Carbon reduction targets for 2030

3. Munksjö

   Headquarters: Finland
   Key Offering: Machine‑glazed release liners for high‑performance tape and adhesive markets

   Munksjö’s acquisition of Ahlstrom‑Munksjö has increased throughput by 7%, reinforcing its position as a preferred partner for high‑performance tape producers. The company’s focus on precision coating and low‑residue performance is critical for the growing demand in electronics and medical adhesive applications.

   Sustainability & Growth Initiatives: Investment in low‑VOC coating technologies; collaboration with electronics manufacturers to improve sustainability credentials; expansion of machine‑glazed product portfolio.

   • 7% throughput growth
   • Low‑VOC coating development
   • Partnerships with tape producers
   • Expansion of machine‑glazed range

4. Asia Pulp & Paper

   Headquarters: Indonesia
   Key Offering: High‑grade roll‑flat kraft paper for e‑commerce labeling and packaging

   Asia Pulp & Paper’s s30 TM facility in Indonesia added 4,500 t/month of roll‑flat kraft paper in 2024, targeting the rapidly expanding e‑commerce labeling market. The company’s investment in advanced coating technologies supports the development of low‑residue, high‑tensile release liners.

   Sustainability & Growth Initiatives: Integration of bio‑based coatings; focus on circular economy practices; partnership with e‑commerce platforms to secure supply contracts.

   • 4,500 t/month capacity addition
   • Bio‑based coating research
   • Partnerships with e‑commerce platforms
   • Focus on circular economy

5. Glatfelter

   Headquarters: United States
   Key Offering: PC‑coated release liners for high‑performance packaging and automotive markets

   Glatfelter’s advanced coating technology has driven a 4% revenue lift in Q2 2025 after deploying a new low‑VOC solvent system. The company’s focus on high‑temperature, low‑residue performance aligns with the growing demand in composite and automotive sectors.

   Sustainability & Growth Initiatives: Low‑VOC solvent systems; investment in high‑temperature resistant coatings; partnership with automotive OEMs to secure long‑term supply.

   • 4% revenue lift Q2 2025
   • Low‑VOC solvent system
   • High‑temperature coating development
   • Partnerships with automotive OEMs

6. Expera Specialty Solutions

   Headquarters: United States
   Key Offering: Biodegradable clays for hygiene and food packaging

   Expera has accelerated production of biodegradable clays, achieving 12% organic growth in 2025. The company’s focus on sustainable materials meets the increasing demand from hygiene and food packaging sectors for recyclable solutions.

   Sustainability & Growth Initiatives: Biodegradable clay production; partnership with food packaging brands; investment in closed‑loop recycling.

   • 12% organic growth
   • Biodegradable clay production
   • Partnerships with food packaging brands
   • Closed‑loop recycling initiatives

7. Nordic Paper

   Headquarters: Sweden
   Key Offering: Joint‑venture bio‑based pulp for release liners

   Nordic Paper’s joint venture with a Finnish recycler is set to deliver the first commercial release liners by 2026. The company’s focus on bio‑based pulp aligns with the growing demand for sustainable release liners in the automotive and aerospace sectors.

   Sustainability & Growth Initiatives: Bio‑based pulp development; joint‑venture for closed‑loop production; focus on carbon‑neutral manufacturing.

   • First commercial release liners by 2026
   • Bio‑based pulp joint venture
   • Carbon‑neutral manufacturing focus
   • Partnership with aerospace OEMs

8. Siam Nippon Industrial Paper

   Headquarters: Thailand
   Key Offering: High‑volume roll‑flat kraft paper for Southeast Asian tapemakers

   Siam Nippon increased domestic capacity by 6% in 2024, positioning itself as the dominant supplier for Southeast Asian tapemakers and supply‑chain integrators. The company’s focus on high‑volume, low‑residue release liners supports the region’s expanding composite and automotive markets.

   Sustainability & Growth Initiatives: Investment in high‑volume production; focus on low‑residue coatings; partnership with regional OEMs.

   • 6% capacity increase
   • High‑volume production focus
   • Low‑residue coating development
   • Partnerships with regional OEMs

9. UPM

   Headquarters: Finland
   Key Offering: Perovskite‑based coating for moisture‑resistant release liners

   After acquiring Timburo in 2024, UPM integrated a novel perovskite‑based coating that improves moisture resistance, enabling its release liners to be deployed in the e‑tail sector. The company’s focus on advanced coating chemistry positions it at the forefront of high‑performance, moisture‑resistant release liners.

   Sustainability & Growth Initiatives: Perovskite‑based coating development; partnership with e‑tail manufacturers; commitment to reducing water usage in production.

   • Perovskite coating integration
   • Moisture‑resistant release liners
   • Partnerships with e‑tail manufacturers
   • Water‑usage reduction initiatives

10. Delfort Group

    Headquarters: Austria
    Key Offering: Eco‑friendly coated release liners compliant with EU 2030 circular economy directives

    Delfort Group’s German plant completed retrofits to meet EU 2030 circular economy directives, ensuring its products remain compliant with the most stringent environmental regulations. The company’s focus on eco‑friendly coatings and circular supply chains aligns with the growing demand for sustainable release liners.

    Sustainability & Growth Initiatives: Retrofits for circular economy compliance; partnership with EU regulators; focus on low‑VOC, recyclable coatings.

    • Retrofit completion for EU 2030 compliance
    • Low‑VOC coating development
    • Recyclable coating focus
    • Partnerships with EU regulators

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Strategic Outlook

Over the next decade, the Kraft Release Paper market will be shaped by the convergence of three forces: the relentless push for recyclable packaging, the rise of advanced composite materials in automotive and aerospace, and the tightening of chemical additive regulations. Companies that invest in low‑VOC, silicone‑free coatings and expand production in emerging economies will capture the largest share of the growing market, while those that fail to innovate risk being edged out by alternative polymer coatings.

Future Trends

• High‑performance bio‑based coatings that reduce carbon footprint and improve barrier properties.
• Integration of digital printing and sensor technologies to enable real‑time quality control on release liners.
• Expansion of closed‑loop recycling programs to achieve zero‑waste supply chains in the automotive and aerospace sectors.
• Growth of high‑temperature, high‑shear release liners for advanced composite manufacturing.
• Increased collaboration between pulp mills and coating manufacturers to develop lower‑grade lignin streams for cost‑effective, high‑quality release liners.