Metsä Group invests €25m in Muoto fibre packaging line at Äänekoski
- Approximately EUR 25 million investment in a Muoto fibre-packaging production line at the Äänekoski mill.
- Start-up planned for 2028 with nominal capacity of more than 100 million products per year; Valmet to supply the line.
- Production moved to Äänekoski from Rauma based on mill infrastructure, existing demo line and costs.
- Investment in the Kuura man-made cellulosic fibre mill in Kemi will not proceed due to rapid global overcapacity, chiefly in Asia.
Muoto investment
Metsä is investing approximately EUR 25 million in a commercial production line for Muoto fibre-based packaging at its mill site in Äänekoski. The line will be located next to the existing Muoto demo plant and is scheduled to start up in 2028.
Production and market positioning
Muoto products are formed directly from wet wood pulp without intermediate steps and combine stiffness, functionality and light weight for applications such as demanding serving and food packaging. The nominal capacity of the new line will be more than 100 million products per year, and the production line will be supplied by Valmet. The investment location was changed from Rauma to Äänekoski based on the mill site’s infrastructure, the existing production line and investment costs.
Kuura textile fibre project halted
The planned Kuura man-made cellulosic textile fibre mill in Kemi will not proceed. Significant global overproduction—particularly new capacity in Asia—has depressed the market and reduced customers’ willingness to pay a premium for responsibly produced fibres. Metsä says the Kuura project is not viable in its current form, though the company will explore options to use the textile-fibre expertise developed.
Source: metsagroup.com
