Elkem, a global provider of advanced silicon-based materials, has received recognition from the Business Intelligence Group (BIG) for its SILCOLEASE RE, the company’s first range of 100% recycled silicones, which was named “Sustainability Product of the Year.” The recognition honors Elkem’s approach to circularity and eco-designed manufacturing for the label industry.

“Receiving the BIG Sustainability Award is a great honour and an affirmation that our innovation delivers genuine impact,” says Joséphine Munsch, R&T sustainability leader. “The jury recognized SILCOLEASE RE range not only for its sustainability-driven formulations, but because it reflects our deep understanding of market needs, showcasing the dedication of our R&T teams in delivering a recycled silicone solution that can seamlessly be used into existing processes and equipment without any compromise on performance.”

The SILCOLEASE RE range stood out as the first commercially available fully recycled, silicone-based, solvent-free release liner technology for the label and tape markets. SILCOLEASE RE benefits from one of the lowest carbon footprints in the industry thanks to a low energy recycling process. These products now reach a new milestone with 1.1 kg CO₂e per kg, far under the global average of 6 kg CO₂e per kg.

Developed through months of collaborative research with academic and local partners, SILCOLEASE RE technology rapidly evolved from a R&D project to the launch of a pilot unit at Elkem’s site of Saint-Fons, France. The development received support from France 2030 and NextGenerationEU, the French government’s and EU’s recovery initiatives supporting forwardlooking investments. The scalable pilot line enables industrial liner coating machine trials and early commercial deployment.

Elkem’s method transforms silicone waste into new, high-performance silicone release coatings, validated through extensive benchmarking for anchorage, reactivity, and release, even at high line speeds. The solution empowers customers to advance their environmental strategy without compromising operational efficiency.

The BIG Sustainability Awards honor the companies, products, projects, and individuals proving that
purpose-driven strategies can fuel growth. Winners are selected by a panel of business leaders who
evaluate performance, innovation, and quantifiable outcomes across environmental, social, and
governance (ESG) pillars.