FINLAND’S FORESTS, REIMAGINED

Finland’s forests, covering three-quarters of the country, have long fueled its economy, with forest industry products accounting for nearly a fifth of exports. Metsä Group and ANDRITZ are spearheading efforts to cut emissions, create renewable textile fibers, and capture carbon – moves that could set new global standards.

“We see this partnership as an important step in developing the forest industry,” says Jari Voutilainen, SVP, Sourcing and Logistics at Metsä Group.

REDUCING EMISSIONS ALONG THE VALUE CHAIN

Metsä Group and ANDRITZ are tackling Scope-3 greenhouse gas emissions – those generated across the value chain, from procurement to product use. Recognizing the scale and complexity of these emissions, the two companies have launched a multi-year initiative to identify and implement impactful reduction strategies.

A joint task force is crafting reduction strategies with a focus on measurable, scalable results. “Together, we will find solutions that wouldn’t have been possible alone,” Voutilainen explains.

PIONEERING WOOD-BASED TEXTILES

The same ambition powers the Kuura fiber project, which aims to make textile production sustainable by producing man-made cellulosic fibers (MMCF) from Finnish softwood. Thanks to ANDRITZ’s advanced automation technology, Metsä Group is exploring the feasibility of scaling production of the new type of fiber.

The envisioned mill would utilize renewable energy and maximize resource efficiency through closed-loop systems. “Our concept ensures that all wood needed to make the softwood pulp comes from certified Finnish forests nearby,” explains Niklas von Weymarn, CEO of the Metsä Group’s innovation company Metsä Spring. If realized, the mill could annually produce 100,000 tons of Kuura fibers, offering a renewable alternative to fossil-based materials and advancing the circular economy.

ADVANCING CARBON CAPTURE

The most ambitious initiative is carbon dioxide recovery at bioproduct mills – a world-first if achieved. Metsä Group and ANDRITZ recently completed a study exploring the recovery of four million tons of CO₂ annually at a Kemi-sized facility. Findings confirm the technical feasibility of recovery but underline the need for substantial investment and innovation in energy efficiency.

“20% of the required heat energy can come from existing mill operations, but new technical solutions are needed for the rest,” explains Kaija Pehu-Lehtonen, Project Director of Metsä Group’s carbon capture project. A pilot program launching at Rauma aims to refine the technology, serving as a stepping stone toward a larger-scale implementation.

Metsä Group generates around 12 million tons of wood-derived CO₂ annually – a largely untapped byproduct that could transform into sustainable fuels and chemicals when combined with green hydrogen. Successful recovery would yield a wood-based raw material with significant climate and economic benefits, including new investments and job creation. “This is a great opportunity for Finland to develop a new industry while reducing fossil material use,” PehuLehtonen adds.

SETTING A NEW STANDARD

Metsä Group and ANDRITZ’s joint projects show how innovative companies can work together for a better future. By cutting emissions, developing new types of fibers from wood byproducts, and advancing carbon capture, they demonstrate how industrial processes can be advanced to tackle the most important challenges of climate change.

“The technologies we’re implementing here have the potential to influence not only the forest industry but other sectors as well, setting a precedent for sustainable manufacturing,” says Kari Tuominen, CEO of ANDRITZ Oy in Finland. Together, Metsä Group and ANDRITZ ensure Finland’s forests will remain a source of economic and environmental value for generations to come.