Ahlstrom and Solventum collaborate on controlled-bioburden release paper for healthcare applications

Ahlstrom has developed Acti-V® BIO, a specialty paper solution for release liners used in pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) healthcare applications, in collaboration with healthcare company Solventum. The material is designed to support contamination control and effective sterilization practices in demanding medical applications.

Acti-V® BIO expands Ahlstrom’s existing portfolio of Acti-V® release base papers, a proprietary technology platform serving a range of release liner applications. The new grade is designed for healthcare uses requiring consistent material performance and microbiological control throughout the value chain.

The solution combines optimized material design, manufacturing controls and strengthened contamination-prevention practices to support material purity and downstream sterilization processes. Microbial load is assessed before sterilization using accredited procedures, providing a measure of upstream hygiene practices and supporting planned sterilization processes.

Potential applications include wound care products, transdermal patches, surgical tapes, and wearable and diagnostic devices incorporating adhesive components protected by peel-off liners.

During development, Solventum contributed its expertise in healthcare applications to help define bioburden expectations and testing methodologies. The collaboration aimed to align the material with the requirements of highly regulated healthcare applications.

According to Ahlstrom, the development focuses on reducing contamination-related variability while retaining the sustainability advantages of renewable cellulose-based materials.

Solventum said the collaboration addressed bioburden variability at the material level, helping manufacturers improve consistency in finished-product bioburden and reduce the potential for unexpected microbial challenges during validated sterilization processes.

Acti-V® BIO builds on Ahlstrom’s existing fiber-based materials expertise in the healthcare and life sciences sectors, targeting applications with stringent performance, safety and regulatory requirements.