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Fibre Magazine has won an honourable mention for redesign in the prestigious Ozzie Award 2020. The concept of the magazine was renewed in 2019, and in connection with the redesigning, the magazine got a new name, Fibre. “This recognition was a pleasant surprise for us. We are proud of the success of our customer magazine, as we have worked hard to meet the needs of our pulp customers in this area,” says Eva Martin , VP, Marketing, Metsä Fibre.
Over a half of consumers would buy more products with sustainable packaging if products did not cost more than conventionally packaged ones, says McKinsey’s survey on US consumers, October 2020. Around 35 per cent would buy sustainably packaged products if they were more available in stores, for more products, and better labeled as ‘green’.
NEW FIBRE-BASED BIOPRODUCTS WITH ECOSYSTEM SUPPORT
NEW PACKAGING FOR SAMPLES Metsä Fibre’s pulp sample packaging has been updated to reflect the new, more unified Metsä brand. At the same time, we have made the packaging more environmentally friendly. The updated packaging was designed in col- laboration with Metsä Board, and it uses Metsä Pine, Metsä Birch and Metsä High Yield pulp as its raw material. “Our aim was to create a premium packaging experience with an especial- ly appealing and eye-catching package," says Eva Martin , VP, Marketing at Metsä Fibre. The design of the packaging is stylishly minimalist, and all parts of it are made of uncoated material, giving it a natural feel. In addition to the effects created through embossing, the silver Metsä logo created by hot foiling adds an attractive contrast. “We wanted to create sample packaging that showcases Nordic wood fibre in the best possible way and highlights the best qualities of folding boxboard and corrugated board,” says Ilkka Harju , Packaging Services Director at Metsä Board. The inner packaging of the box is made from micro-corrugated paper- board. The packaging is finished with an outside sleeve made from Metsä Board folding boxboard (MetsäBoard Natural FBB 325 g/m 2 ). Sustainability principles are behind the choice of materials for the recycla- ble packaging. The inner packaging is completely glue-free, with glue being used only on the sides of the sleeve part. There are two different types of packaging, one for pulp and the other for pulp sheets.
MILL OF THE FUTURE AWARD FORÄÄNEKOSKI Metsä Fibre’s bioproduct mill in Äänekoski has won the Mill of the Future Award at the 2020 Pulp & Paper Industry (PPI) Awards. The mill was evaluated based on the implementation of modern and innovative solu- tions that improve efficiency, production and environmental performance. The jury were pleased with the mill’s solu- tions for material, energy and environmental efficiency, and its bioproduct concept. “We are grateful to have received this award. Äänekoski mill is an example of the large- scale implementation of the bioproduct concept. It reflects our operating method based on continuous improvement, and our leadership in the sustainable bioeconomy,” says CEO Ismo Nousiainen .
Metsä Fibre is participating in the ExpandFibre programme, which aims to develop technologies and business concepts around new bioproducts. The four-year programme initiated by Metsä Group and a Finnish energy company Fortum focuses on utilising pulp fibre made from wood and straw. According to Anna Suurnäkki , VP, Research at Metsä Fibre, the programme represents a new form of cooperation and network building. “We want to create a new buzz about the programme’s focal areas. The aim is to strengthen the ecosystem around this topic to ensure it can create added value in the form of new busi- nesses, products and further research,” Suurnäkki says. All the value chains relevant to the programme are based on new and sustainable raw materials – straw and Nordic wood. The common goals of Metsä Group and Fortum, which serve as ExpandFibre’s leading companies, include developing the textile value chain and biocomposite products. “Developing a new fibre-based bioproduct is one of Metsä Fibre’s long-term goals. This is what we will engage in with our research and business partners during the programme.” Of the other Metsä Group companies, Metsä Board has assumed the role of a leading company for packaging materi- als, while Metsä Spring focuses on developing the use of textile fibres. The EUR 50 million programme is a public-private partnership, part of which is funded by a public sector party. Business Finland has granted the programme EUR 20 million in funding in its challenge competition for leading companies. www.expandfibre.com
RESEARCH ON BIOCOMPOSITE USAGE Metsä Fibre and a German independent research company, nova-Institut, have conducted a market research about trends regarding cellulose pulp fibres in biocomposites. According to research, the total business volume of natural fibre-based composites was approximately 140,000 tonnes in 2019. All kind of recycled fibres, cellulose fibres and visible wood fibres have increased in composites the most during the last three years. The main areas for expected increase in the next few years are in packaging (boxes, transport pallets, reusable items), electronics (casings, other large parts) and consumer goods.
DEVELOPING A NEW WOOD-BASED PRODUCT
Metsä Group’s innovation company, Metsä Spring, aims to develop a new wood-based product and an entirely new kind of production method in coop- eration with a Finnish company, Valmet, which is a global developer and supplier of process technol- ogies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. “Our goal is to develop a product which replaces plastic with fibre-based solutions. It involves 3D products, such as food packages that reduce food waste and are safe, recyclable, and biodegradable,” says Jarkko Tuominen , Metsä Spring’s Project Lead. Regarding the development work, Metsä Spring and Valmet are building a new demo plant in Ääne- koski, Finland, and its operations are planned to begin in late 2021.
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