{"id":28007,"date":"2021-02-02T08:55:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-02T06:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sweco.fi\/?post_type=showroom_cpt&#038;p=28007"},"modified":"2022-12-05T18:35:35","modified_gmt":"2022-12-05T16:35:35","slug":"metsa-groups-pilot-plant-produces-eco-friendly-textile-fibre-out-of-paper-pulp-2","status":"publish","type":"showroom_cpt","link":"https:\/\/www.sweco.fi\/en\/projects\/metsa-groups-pilot-plant-produces-eco-friendly-textile-fibre-out-of-paper-pulp-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Mets\u00e4 Group\u2019s pilot plant produces eco-friendly textile fibre out of paper pulp"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"block showroom-intro \" >\n\t<div class=\"showroom-intro__top\">\n\t\t<img width=\"1680\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sweco.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2021\/05\/Metsa-Group_koelaitos-1680x800.jpg\" class=\"showroom-intro__bg-img\" alt=\"Mets\u00e4 Groupin koelaitos\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) 1080px, 1920px\" \/>\t\t\t\t<div class=\"block__inner vacancy-intro__inner\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col--11 col--wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"editor-content editor-content--white col--6 vacancy-intro__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"h1 hyphenate\">Mets\u00e4 Group\u2019s pilot plant produces eco-friendly textile fibre out of paper pulp <\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"showroom-intro__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"showroom-intro__data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"showroom-intro__item editor-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<em>Description<\/em>\t\t\t\t\t<p>Pre-design and cost estimation, implementation planning project management and procurement, process design, layout design, plumbing and mechanical design, HVAC and fire design, electrical design, instrumentation and automation design, and structural design.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"showroom-intro__item editor-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<em>Customer<\/em>\t\t\t\t\t<p>Mets\u00e4 Spring Oy (preliminary design phase) and MI Demo Oy (implementation planning phase)<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"showroom-intro__item editor-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<em>Year<\/em>\t\t\t\t\t<p>2018-2020<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"block cb block--white\" >\n\t<div class=\"block__inner cb__inner cb__inner--one\">\n\t<div class=\"col--12 col--center col--wrapper\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col col--6 editor-content\">\n\t\t\t<h1>Mets\u00e4 Group\u2019s pilot plant produces eco-friendly textile fibre out of paper pulp<\/h1>\n<p>A textile fibre pilot plant owned by Mets\u00e4 Group and the Japanese company Itochu was completed next to the \u00c4\u00e4nekoski bioproduct mill at the start of the year. Sweco\u2019s experts in industry, building service systems and structural engineering worked as consultant partners in this unique project.<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A pioneer in forestry and bioeconomy, Mets\u00e4 Group has already developed new textile fibre manufacturing technology for several years in collaboration with different research institutes. \u201cThe first large-scale co-research project FuBio began in 2009 with new chemicals that dissolve pulp as one research focus,\u201d explains Mets\u00e4 Spring CEO\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Niklas von Weymarn<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[567,1276,2552,3828,5103,6379,8364],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0,0,0,0,0,0,0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1,1,1,1,1,1,4]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In 2012, Mets\u00e4 Group established its own comprehensive research project and began cooperation with Itochu two years later. Itochu and Mets\u00e4 Group\u2019s innovation company Mets\u00e4 Spring together own MI Demo that is in charge of developing the pilot plant of about EUR 40 million.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[567,1276,2552,3828,5103,6379,8364],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0,0,0,0,0,0,0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1,1,1,1,1,1,4]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cHowever, the pilot plant is only an intermediate step or, in the best case scenario, a stepping stone towards gaining answers to critical questions,\u201d von Weymarn says. The long-term objective is a full-scale production plant in \u00c4\u00e4nekoski, for example, and later in connection with other Mets\u00e4 Group pulp mills. \u201cIf all goes to plan, we will have the potential to further develop the technology and commence the commercial production of the textile fibre in due course.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[567,1276,2552,3828,5103,6379,8364],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0,0,0,0,0,0,0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1,1,1,1,1,1,4]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id=\"confidential-relationship-with-the-client\">Confidential relationship with the client<\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">There are several ongoing textile fibre projects in Finland, but no other pilot plant of the same scale. The pilot plant, about 120 metres in length, receives its raw material from the nearby \u00c4\u00e4nekoski bioproduct mill that was completed on schedule in late summer 2018.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[567,1276,2552,3828,5103,6379,8364],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0,0,0,0,0,0,0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1,1,1,1,1,1,4]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cWe were in charge of the principal design of the bioproduct mill, meaning that we already had a direct and uncomplicated cooperation with Mets\u00e4 Group,\u201d explains Project Manager\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Leena Hannonen<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0from Sweco. Mutual trust was an important factor in the preliminary design and implementation planning of the pilot plant. \u201cFor example, we participated in the procurement negotiations and document drafting in confidence.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[567,1276,2552,3828,5103,6379,8364],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0,0,0,0,0,0,0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[0,0,0,0,0,0,0]}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[567,1276,2552,3828,5103,6379,8364],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0,0,0,0,0,0,0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[0,0,0,0,0,0,0]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id=\"expertise-required-in-equipment-acquisition\">Expertise required in equipment acquisition<\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Sweco worked in close cooperation with the project\u2019s equipment suppliers from several different countries. The manufacturing method is unique and the plant required equipment of just the right size.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[567,1276,2552,3828,5103,6379,8364],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0,0,0,0,0,0,0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1,1,1,1,1,1,4]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cThe amount of material required by the pilot plant corresponds to only a couple of minutes of the bioproduct mill\u2019s production, meaning that it was difficult to find suitable equipment for such small flow amounts,\u201d says Hannonen. The same equipment types are to be used later in the full-scale production plant. \u201cCareful investigation allowed us to find new equipment suppliers, and traditional suppliers in the field provided us with their pilot equipment.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[567,1276,2552,3828,5103,6379,8364],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0,0,0,0,0,0,0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[0,0,0,0,0,0,0]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Another challenge was the unique solvent that was not initially available anywhere in the world in the required amount. The upscaling of solvent production was carried out alongside the pilot\u00a0plant project. \u201cSweco helped us ensure that it was safe to work with the new solvent at the plant. Occupational safety is our priority,\u201d von Weymarn emphasises.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[567,1276,2552,3828,5103,6379,8364],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0,0,0,0,0,0,0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1,1,1,1,1,1,4]}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[567,1276,2552,3828,5103,6379,8364],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0,0,0,0,0,0,0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1,1,1,1,1,1,4]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cOur chemical safety specialists produced different surveys and risk analyses and ensured that the equipment suppliers produced the required documentation for CE markings,\u201d Hannonen adds.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[567,1276,2552,3828,5103,6379,8364],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0,0,0,0,0,0,0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1,1,1,1,1,1,4]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id=\"pilot-plant-saves-water-and-energy\">Pilot plant saves water and energy<\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The pilot plant reached the implementation stage in early 2020. The new manufacturing technology helps reduce the global environmental issues related to cotton production due to the significantly lower water consumption, for example.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[567,1276,2552,3828,5103,6379,8364],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0,0,0,0,0,0,0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1,1,1,1,1,1,4]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cAccording to the lifecycle analysis performed by an external consultant, the pilot plant\u2019s carbon footprint, i.e. global warming potential, is significantly smaller than in cotton production,\u201d von Weymarn says.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[567,1276,2552,3828,5103,6379,8364],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0,0,0,0,0,0,0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1,1,1,1,1,1,4]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Instead of dissolving pulp, the process utilises undried paper pulp. \u201cThe recovery of textile fibre is greater, the manufacturing process is cheaper and there is less need for chemicals,\u201d Hannonen explains. Also, one processing stage is eliminated, which saves energy. \u201cThe undried pulp is normally dried into sheets at the bioproduct mill, but the raw material is now extracted for textile fibre manufacturing before drying.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[567,1276,2552,3828,5103,6379,8364],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0,0,0,0,0,0,0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1,1,1,1,1,1,4]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The pilot plant receives all of its energy and raw material from the bioproduct mill that is the first fossil-free facility of its kind in the world. \u201cThanks to the bioproduct mill, the pilot plant is also fossil-free,\u201d von Weymarn emphasises.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[567,1276,2552,3828,5103,6379,8364],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0,0,0,0,0,0,0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1,1,1,1,1,1,4]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A textile fibre pilot plant owned by Mets\u00e4 Group and the Japanese company Itochu was completed next to the \u00c4\u00e4nekoski bioproduct mill at the start of the year. Sweco\u2019s experts in industry, building service systems and structural engineering worked as consultant partners in this unique project.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":9996,"template":"","showroom_cats":[162],"showroom_expertise":[],"showroom_partners":[],"showroom_location":[],"showroom_client":[],"class_list":["post-28007","showroom_cpt","type-showroom_cpt","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","showroom_cats-energy"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sweco.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/showroom_cpt\/28007","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sweco.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/showroom_cpt"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sweco.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/showroom_cpt"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sweco.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9996"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sweco.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28007"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"showroom_cats","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sweco.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/showroom_cats?post=28007"},{"taxonomy":"showroom_expertise","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sweco.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/showroom_expertise?post=28007"},{"taxonomy":"showroom_partners","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sweco.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/showroom_partners?post=28007"},{"taxonomy":"showroom_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sweco.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/showroom_location?post=28007"},{"taxonomy":"showroom_client","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sweco.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/showroom_client?post=28007"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}