Industrial technology company Valmet is supplying a 3D Fiber moulded fibre production line for Metsä Group’s mill in Äänekoski, Finland.
The new line is due to start operating in 2028.
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The move comes after development work, pilot runs and the commercial introduction of the 3D Fiber process in June 2026.
The 3D fibre process is used to develop firm and lightweight products such as trays, plates and food packaging containers as substitutes for plastic.
It forms 3D items from cellulose pulp, avoiding additional intermediate stages.
Valmet and Metsä Group have worked on the process together at their demo plant in Äänekoski.
The new line will be installed next to that site and is expected to have a nominal output of more than 100 million items a year.
Metsä Spring Muoto project vice-president Antti Valtonen said: “After years of fruitful co-development with Valmet, including the start-up of the joint demo plant in 2022, Muoto is now entering an exciting new phase.
“We are expanding our capabilities, deepening customer collaborations, and building the foundations for future growth. At the same time, demand is growing for packaging solutions that combine performance, circularity, and scalability.”
The project is meant to show that the process can be expanded for large-scale industrial use and could support later investment decisions.
The order was booked in Valmet’s third-quarter 2026 intake.
Valmet 3D Fibre head Juho Pyrrö said: “Valmet 3D Fiber technology is the first large-scale moulded fibre production technology on the market, and it provides an attractive and competitive end-to-end solution for the growing sustainable packaging market.
“The investment confirms the market potential of the technology and accelerates the replacement of plastic packaging in high-volume production. Over the years, Metsä Group and Valmet have worked closely together to develop and validate the 3D Fiber technology, creating a strong foundation of trust and shared ambition.”
