Muoto is a wood-based alternative to plastics and aluminium in food packaging and is lightweight, strong and recyclable apart from being easy to mould in different shapes
Muoto is a wood-based alternative to plastics and aluminium in food packaging. (Credit: Metsä Group)
Finnish paper and packaging product manufacturer Metsä Group has started a pre-study for the construction of the first commercial mill to produce Muoto packaging products at its site in Rauma, Finland.
The study is aimed at concluding the technical feasibility and economic profitability of the mill.
The mill is expected to produce Muoto fibre-based packaging suitable for various applications.
Muoto is a wood-based alternative to plastics and aluminium in food packaging. It is also lightweight, strong and recyclable apart from being easy to mould in different shapes.
The joint demo plant of Metsä Group’s innovation company Metsä Spring and Valmet in Äänekoski, Finland has been producing Muoto products since May last year.
It has conducted simultaneous development of fibre-based packaging and a new manufacturing technique that transforms wood fibre into reliable packaging while reducing the consumption of raw material, energy and water.
Metsä Spring CEO Niklas von Weymarn said: “Metsä Group is committed to developing new products that generate added value for Nordic wood.
“If constructed, a mill producing Muoto packaging will serve as an excellent example of the forest industry’s development work that creates new alternatives to fossil-based products.”
Metsä Group said the location of Rauma in South-Western Finland is suitable for the Muoto business.
The firm has a pulp mill in the area and a sawmill that commenced operations last year.
Metsä Spring Projects vice president Jarkko Tuominen said: “Sharing the same location as the pulp mill secures raw material supply and offers benefits in the energy and many common operations. The short distance to the export port also enables smooth product shipments to customers.”
Additionally, the Muoto project continues to develop the production method at the Äänekoski demo plant, evaluate interest in clients and create a business model for the commercial stage.