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Fortum and Metsä Group to launch a joint EUR 50 million R&D programme in circular bioeconomy
Fortum and Metsä Group join forces with Business Finland to create a world-class R&D programme with pulp fibre from renewable and sustainable sources as its node. The 4-year joint R&D programme, called ExpandFibre, aims to develop ground-breaking technologies and smart business concepts that are required to convert straw and wood pulp fibre into novel bioproducts, such as textile fibres. The R&D programme has been granted EUR 20 million from Business Finland.
Stora Enso and Cordenka partner to develop bio-based carbon fiber materials
Stora Enso and Cordenka have signed a joint development agreement to develop precursors for bio-based carbon fiber. The co-development is driven by the need for high performance carbon fiber in transportation, construction and power generation.
Valmet and Metsä Fibre have signed a preliminary agreement for key technology and automation delivery to the planned Kemi bioproduct mill in Finland
Valmet and Metsä Fibre, which is part of Metsä Group, have signed a preliminary agreement according to which Valmet will deliver key technology covering all main process islands and automation systems to Metsä Fibre's planned Kemi bioproduct mill in Finland. The final agreement is subject to Metsä Fibre's investment decision. Metsä Fibre has announced that the readiness for the decision is expected to be reached during autumn 2020. If materialized, the new bioproduct mill would have an annual pulp production capacity of 1.5 million tonnes and in addition produce various other bioproducts. The production of the new mill is scheduled to begin in 2023.
EuRIC joins the European Paper Recycling Council to achieve European Green Deal targets
Getting paper recycling to even higher levels and improving the recyclability of paper based products - this is the main mission of the European Paper Recycling Council, an industry platform gathering associations along the paper value chain. This value chain is now further completed as EuRIC is signing the declaration on paper recycling.
New solution for capturing microplastics before they enter waterways
A thousand litres of seawater can contain up to 8.3 million particles of microplastics. Until now, identifying these very small particles has been difficult – usually they are only detected once they have accumulated in the bodies of fish. A method developed at VTT utilises nanocellulose structures for early particle identification. Nanocellulose would allow particles to be captured even before they enter waterways. The properties of nanocellulose films and hydrogels support the identification and capture of very small microplastic particles.
AFRY selected as Metsä Fibre’s partner in the “world’s most modern sawmill”
Metsä Fibre, part of Metsä Group, has awarded AFRY the engineering services assignment for the new sawmill in Rauma as well as project management and engineering services assignment for the new bioproduct mill in Kemi. The key objectives of these investments are increased environmental efficiency and fossil free operations by utilising advanced technology and a high level of digitalisation. Metsä Fibre and AFRY started the pre-engineering of Metsä Fibre’s investments, totalling approximately EUR 2 billion, in the spring of 2019.
Second-phase preparatory work to begin at Metsä Group’s bioproduct mill in Kemi
Metsä Fibre, part of Metsä Group, has completed the first-phase preparatory work as part of the pre-engineering of the Kemi bioproduct mill in the Kemi mill area on schedule in January. The second phase will begin in early April. The purpose of the preparatory work is to enable the construction of the mill and a smooth start for the related earthworks. The investment decision will be made earliest at the autumn 2020, and the construction of the mill is expected to begin right after that.
Metsä Group’s investment projects in Finland progress – the “world’s most modern sawmill” will be built in Rauma
Metsä Fibre, part of Metsä Group, has made the decision to build the “world’s most modern sawmill” in Rauma. The value of the investment is approximately EUR 200 million. Construction will begin in the spring of 2020. Production at the sawmill is set to begin during the third quarter of 2022. The coronavirus outbreak may have an impact on the schedules. The pre-engineering phase of the Kemi bioproduct mill continues, and Metsä Group expects to be ready to make a decision on this approximately EUR 1.5 billion mill in the autumn of 2020.
Clariant and Floreon announce collaboration
Clariant’s Additives business and Floreon-Transforming Packaging Limited announce an exciting new collaboration to further extend the performance properties and market potential of biopolymers, whilst preserving their environmental benefits.
AR Packaging drives sustainable innovation and targets a major shift to dry molded fibre packaging together with PulPac
AR Packaging aims to be first on the market with commercially viable plastic free trays and cutlery for the food, on-the-go and food service sectors. The group looks to contribute to innovative process developments of fully fibre based solutions and therefore has joined the PulPac Technology Pool.
Holmen offers map of spruce bark beetle damage to wood suppliers
The spruce bark beetle has rampaged through the forests of southern Sweden, affecting many forest owners. In response, Holmen has developed an analytical tool, based on satellite images and artificial intelligence, showing actual damage on a map. Now, the forest company’s private wood suppliers can access one of these maps. A service that Holmen is “first to come up with”.
Valmet to deliver defibrator system to Qinzhou Lvyuan Wood in China
Valmet will supply a Defibrator™ system and a Steam Separator PV system to Qinzhou Lvyuan Wood Co., Ltd. in China. The start-up of the system is planned for spring 2020. The order was included in Valmet’s orders received of the fourth quarter 2019. The value of the order will not be disclosed. Qinzhou Lvyuan project is a new investment of Lvyuan Group to expand its production and diversify its product range. The project is located in Guangxi autonomous region. In recent years, Guangxi has actively developed the forestry industry, expanded the industrial chain and built industrial clusters.
