News Items - International Association of Packaging Research Institutes
| VTT helps develop pilot production for fiber packaging VTT has disclosed how it worked with fellow Finnish engineering company Valmet, as well as Metsä Spring, Metsä group’s innovation arm, to develop a pilot line for high-quality molded fiber products, including packaging.  These companies are not alone in attempting to break into packaging markets previously dominated by plastics. But the first phase of collaboration involved working on what VTT calls “a unique process” to form 3D fiber shapes as a “high-quality alternative to traditional molded fiber packaging”.The second phase, which is ongoing, focuses on commercializing and scaling up this technology in a full manufacturing setting. Head of line R&D at Valmet Sampo Immonen explained its choice of VTT as a research partner. “VTT’s in-depth insight into piloting meant it was easy for us to begin trial-oriented cooperation,” he said in a statement. “At the same time, we increased the number of our testing parameters.” Working with VTT is said to have given Valmet access to testing  equipment, lab research and equipment design support, and the research company’s expertise in special fibre suspensions was also highly relevant to the project.Solution sales lead at VTT Jaakko Kuusisaari pointed out that for a company like Valmet, investing in equipment across different scales is not efficient. “They may only need it temporarily during certain R&D phases,” he said. “Our agile approach offers a solution.” The pilot line at Äänekoski, Finland, was officially opened in the summer of 2022. VTT and Valmet will deliver a presentation on the project at the Greener Manufacturing Show, Cologne, Germany, November 8-9 2023. Published: 10/30/23 |