A biodegradable cellulose fiber-based substrate, at least one side of which is coated with a release coating including: a) at least one water-soluble polymer (WSP) containing hydroxyl groups, and b) at least one lactone substituted with at least one linear or branched and/or cyclic C.sub.8-C.sub.30 hydrocarbon chain which may contain heteroatoms. The biodegradable substrate is certified biodegradable in accordance with EN 13432. A method of production thereof is also disclosed.

There is provided a vinyl alcohol-based polymer having an ethylenic double bond with a saponification degree of 70 mol % or more, wherein the vinyl alcohol-based polymer is water-soluble; a molar ratio of the ethylenic double bond to the total of vinyl alcohol units and vinyl acetate units is 0.05/100 to 2/100; and a limiting viscosity [η] and a weight-average molecular weight Mw of a vinyl ester-based polymer which is produced by esterifying the vinyl alcohol-based polymer satisfy the following formulas (1) and (2).

4.7≦log Mw 6.3   (1)

0.60<(log [η]+3.75)/log Mw<0.69   (2)

Release liners that can be included in various adhesive products are provided. A first release liner is a layer of a composition including a) a polymeric material having at least one hydrogen atom covalently bonded to an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, or a sulfur atom; and b) a silicone polyether comprising at least one of polyoxoethylene units or polyoxopropylene units. A second release liner includes a substrate and a coating of the above composition disposed on a major surface of the substrate. The present disclosure also provides an article including one of the above release liners and an adhesive layer disposed on a major surface of the release liner. The composition of the release liner can advantageously be dissolved and optionally recycled.

A pre-assembled kit of cut shapes disposed upon a peelable or repositionable adhesive by means of an affixing adhesive protected by a water-soluble coating which is solubilised either prior to and/or on application of the kit to a surface which may be moistened prior to application. When the water-soluble coating is solubilised, in whole or in part, by placing in contact with the moistened surface, it will expose and/or activate, in whole or in part, the pressure-sensitive adhesive beneath the water-soluble coating to the surface to which it is to be applied and the pre-assembled kit will become affixed to the surface. Alternatively, solubilisation of the water-soluble coating may be provided by applying water, preferably warm water, to the water-soluble coating prior to applying the pre-assembled kit to the surface. A method of producing the pre-assembled kit of cut shapes is provided. In preferred embodiments the protective water-soluble coating is substantially a formulation of poly-vinyl alcohol or polyurethane polymers.

Articles comprising: (1) a sheet having a first surface and a second surface and (2) an separation layer on at least a portion of the first surface, wherein the separation layer comprising (a) a binder layer with particles entrained therein and (b) an overcoat. Also methods for making such articles and methods for using such articles.

Polymeric multilayer film having first and second opposed major surfaces, comprising at least one layer comprising a first release agent and exhibiting a random network of strands and connective regions. The polymeric multilayer films are useful, for example, for tape and graphic articles.

A pre-assembled kit of cut shapes disposed upon a peelable or repositionable adhesive by means of an affixing adhesive protected by a water-soluble coating which is solubilised either prior to and/or on application of the kit to a surface which may be moistened prior to application. When the water-soluble coating is solubilised, in whole or in part, by placing in contact with the moistened surface, it will expose and/or activate, in whole or in part, the pressure-sensitive adhesive beneath the water-soluble coating to the surface to which it is to be applied and the pre-assembled kit will become affixed to the surface. Alternatively, solubilisation of the water-soluble coating may be provided by applying water, preferably warm water, to the water-soluble coating prior to applying the pre-assembled kit to the surface. A method of producing the pre-assembled kit of cut shapes is provided. In preferred embodiments the protective water-soluble coating is substantially a formulation of poly-vinyl alcohol or polyurethane polymers.

A biodegradable cellulose fiber-based substrate, at least one side of which is coated with a release coating including: a) at least one water-soluble polymer (WSP) containing hydroxyl groups, and b) at least one lactone substituted with at least one linear or branched and/or cyclic C.sub.8-C.sub.30 hydrocarbon chain which may contain heteroatoms. The biodegradable substrate is certified biodegradable in accordance with EN 13432. A method of production thereof is also disclosed.

Water-activatable, linerless adhesive articles and related methods are described. The adhesive articles utilize a dry, non-tacky protective layer for protecting the adhesive layer from contamination and therefore do not require a release liner. The protective layer includes at least one of amorphous polyvinyl alcohol and poly(ethylene oxide). The adhesive articles are bonded to a substrate by applying a polar solvent, such as water, to the protective layer, which mix to form a tacky material. The tacky material forms a weak, temporary bond with the substrate and allows the adhesive articles to be repositioned on the substrate. The tacky material gradually pools together at the substrate/adhesive article interface to expose the underlying adhesive layer. The exposed adhesive layer then forms a permanent bond with the substrate.

There is provided a vinyl alcohol-based polymer having an ethylenic double bond with a saponification degree of 70 mol % or more, wherein the vinyl alcohol-based polymer is water-soluble; a molar ratio of the ethylenic double bond to the total of vinyl alcohol units and vinyl acetate units is 0.05/100 to 2/100; and a limiting viscosity [] and a weight-average molecular weight Mw of a vinyl ester-based polymer which is produced by esterifying the vinyl alcohol-based polymer satisfy the following formulas (1) and (2).
4.7log Mw 6.3(1)
0.60<(log []+3.75)/log Mw<0.69(2)