Wood-based solutions for global challenges
Solutions for everyday life
Home decor and construction
Research and innovation
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Light fibre for packaging and insulation
The packaging and construction industries are seeking more sustainable material alternatives. Pulp based Light Fibre Material, developed by Metsä Fibre, can be used, for example, in packaging and interior design, as an insulation component, or as protective material. It also has good sound absorption qualities. The Light Fibre Material can be either dense or soft, depending on the end use requirements. It allows tuning of technical properties and can be used in combination with other materials. The product is in the development and testing phase to be fully bio-based and recyclable.
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Cellulose-based composite material
HiPer material is a composite made from cellulose and long fibres. The manufacturing utilizes a foam forming technique known from paper manufacturing. The material reduces plastics use in various uses such as packaging, furniture, transportation, and construction. This material can be 3D-shaped, as well as processed with regular woodworking tools. The composite is felt-like and mouldable with heat and pressure. In the finished product, the material may be soft and resemble felt, or it can be hard and resemble plastics. depending on the intended end-use.
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Cellulose-based insulation material for outdoor garments
Down is a common insulation material due to its light weight and thermal insulation properties, though it is expensive and raises ethical concerns. Both down and synthetic substitutes are problematic for the environment. The main raw material for this new, innovative insulation material is wood-based textile fibres. The material is non-toxic, and the safety of the chemicals used in the production is assessed utilizing the EU’s Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) principle. The material facilitates product recycling, and the use of cellulose fibres reduces dependence on synthetic and animal-based raw materials, supporting the EU’s strategic autonomy and transition to circular economy.
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Wood-based textile fibre
Kuura™ is a novel textile fibre made from pine and spruce harvested from certified Finnish forests. The paper pulp used to make Kuura™ is produced at Metsä Group’s bioproduct mill in Äänekoski, Finland. This is the first pulp mill in the world that doesn’t consume fossil fuels. By integrating the textile fibre production directly to the bioproduct mill, Metsä Group can utilise the industrial ecosystem and make the production of Kuura™ fibre efficient and fossil-free as well. Industrial scale production of Kuura™ fibre would lead to lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to other commercial man-made cellulosic fibres (viscose and lyocell) and cotton fibres.
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Wound care dressing from nanocellulose
Nanocellulose has very good cell and tissue compatibility and high water retention capability. These properties are utilized in the FibDex® wound dressing developed by UPM Biomedicals. The raw material for FibDex, manufactured in Lappeenranta, is birch from sustainably managed forests. The effectiveness of the wound dressing has been proven in Finland, where plastic surgeons have used FibDex with skin transplants. FibDex promotes wound healing, reduces pain experienced by the patient, and produces better quality skin tissue. FibDex requires no changing during treatment and detaches itself after the wound has healed. This avoids dressing changes and skin tears that slow down scarring. The healing process is less painful for the patient and more efficient for the hospital. Faster healing results in cost savings for the hospital and society.
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Light and strong material for inner packaging
Foam forming is a manufacturing process for fibre–based products where instead of water, water-based foam is used as a carrier for fibres. Foam forming can be used to manufacture unique structures from bio-based materials. Products can be converted for different uses, such as packaging, filters or hygiene products. The structure of this wood cellulose material made by foam forming makes it strong and lightweight, and its properties in packaging applications are comparable to polystyrene. The material can be used, for example, in inner packaging to protect fragile items.
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Textile fibres for circular economy
Using Ioncell® technology, high-quality textile fibres are produced from renewable raw materials such as wood, plants, recycled cotton, cardboard, or even old newspapers. The closed-loop production process employs only water and safe solvent. The method is significantly more environmentally friendly than the production of cotton or viscose. Ioncell® fibres feel soft and are strong even when wet. They’re tenacious and work well in both clothing and technical applications.
Watch the video (IONCELL – from forest to Jenni Haukio dress)
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Multilayer fibre-based barrier packaging material
This packaging material developed by VTT contains multiple layers of different bio-based aqueous dispersion coatings on paper to be used for food packaging. The material has excellent barriers against water vapor, grease, oxygen, and mineral oils. The barrier coatings are compatible with existing coating infrastructures.
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Suberin coated paper & paperboards
Suberin-based coating is developed in the SUSBINCO-project for barrier packaging applications. Suberin is extracted from tree bark and stabilized by hemicellulose and nanocellulose-based surfactants that are also derived from wood.
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Digital learning environment for forest-based bioeconomy
ForestBioFacts is the world’s most extensive digital learning environment for forest-based bioeconomy. Its 16 themes cover the industry’s entire value chain and provides the users with everything they need to know about forest-based products and technologies. It is aimed at students, professors, and professionals in the field. ForestBioFacts provides quick solutions to various everyday problem-solving situations, helps in developing new business ideas, and supports professional development. The free introduction to forest-based bioeconomy theme is also suitable for secondary schools and high schools. ForestBioFacts was created and is developed in collaboration with leading companies and universities in the field.
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Research for the development of fibre-based packaging
The demand for packaging solutions made from renewable raw materials is growing rapidly. The cornerstone of LUT Packaging Technology’s operations is to develop, together with its partners, packaging that emphasizes safety, ecology and cost-effectiveness. The research focuses on the manufacturing processes of packaging solutions. The research group has versatile laboratory facilities for characterizing and converting materials from laboratory scale upwards to pilot and productionscale devices.
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Easily dyeable textile fibre
Biocelsol® technology enables the enzymatic treatment of cellulose in such a way that textile fibres bind colour better. This allows for use of smaller amounts of dye, reducing costs. In addition to dissolving pulp, Biocelsol® fibre can also be produced from other cellulose sources such as recycled paper and cellulose separated from textile waste, and its production does not involve the use of toxic chemicals. Biocelsol® fibres can replace oil-based synthetic fibres and fibres whose production involves hazardous chemicals.