Finnish forestry and paper group Metsä Group is planning to build a plant at its Rauma site in Finland, dedicated to the Muoto range of wood-based packaging. Muoto fiber packaging could replace the plastic and aluminum solutions used in the food industry.
Developed since May 2022 in Äänekoski, Finland, in the joint test plant of Metsä Spring, Metsä's innovation company, and Finnish equipment manufacturer for the pulp, paper and energy industries Valmet, Muoto products are easy to mold into various shapes, lightweight, robust and recyclable, says the group, which employs 9,500 people worldwide.
Alongside fiber-based packaging, the test plant has developed an entirely new production method that converts wet pulp into packaging.
"Raw materials and water circulate in the process, and no waste is generated during production. Energy consumption has also been minimized thanks to innovative process and technological solutions." says Metsä Group.
The future plant's location next to one of Metsä's pulp mills and a sawmill will facilitate site supply.
At the same time as carrying out the preliminary study for the construction of the plant, Metsä is continuing to develop the Muoto project by improving the production method at Äänekoski, assessing customer interest and preparing the commercial phase.
