Valmet is expanding its offering for the growing market of moulded fibre packaging. With its newly introduced „Valmet 3D Fibre“ technology, the Finnish company aims to offer packaging manufacturers a complete production solution for three-dimensional fibre packaging. The technology is intended to enable the industrial production of packaging made from pulp fibres with high production output and to create an alternative to plastic packaging.
"The demand for moulded fibre packaging is growing, “and we see great opportunities to support our customers in benefiting from this growth. By combining our expertise in fibre-based packaging, paper processing technologies and automation, Valmet can offer packaging manufacturers a competitive end-to-end solution. With Valmet 3D Fibre, we support our customers in unlocking new business opportunities, strengthening their market position and accelerating the transition to fibre-based packaging," says Petri Rasinmäki, Executive Vice President, Packaging and Paper at Valmet.
According to the company, the technology opens up broader application possibilities than traditional wet moulding fibre processes. Among other things, it can be used to produce lightweight yet stable shells, plates and packaging for food applications. Cellulose fibres are used as the raw material.
Focus on productivity and the circular economy
According to Valmet, a key feature of the process is the combination of multi-layer fibre deposition, high production capacity, and automation. Furthermore, the process management is designed to recycle trim and side streams within production. This is intended to increase resource efficiency and improve the circularity of manufacturing.
„The strength of Valmet 3D Fibre lies in the combination of unique fibre-laying technology, high production capacity, and automation. Our technology enables customers to develop demanding three-dimensional packaging solutions while maintaining high productivity and resource efficiency,“ explains Juho Pyrrö, Head of Valmet 3D Fibre.
Development together with Metsä Spring
The development of the technology stems from a collaboration that began in 2020 between Valmet and Metsä Spring, the Metsä Group's innovation company. The objective of the cooperation was to develop a production concept that converts wood fibres into packaging solutions for various applications.
With this market launch, Valmet is strengthening its strategic focus on circular packaging solutions and renewable materials, according to the company. Valmet sees the technology as a contribution to the further substitution of plastic-based packaging with fibre-based alternatives.
Source: Valmet
