Metsä Group has started pre-engineering for its first commercial Kuura textile fibre mill, a move aligned with its objective to develop higher value wood-based products. The Kuura textile fibre is produced from softwood pulp sourced from forests owned by Metsä Group’s Finnish members.
The pre-engineering phase is scheduled to continue until summer 2026 and includes several key components. These involve the development of the Kuura fibre production process, collaboration with customers for market entry, and the submission of applications for environmental permits.
Kuura textile fibre aims to provide a sustainable alternative in the textile market, as it is produced without fossil fuels. A recent study has indicated that Kuura has a lower climate impact compared to other competitive textile fibres.
In 2020, Metsä Group launched a demo plant in Äänekoski, Finland, to explore new textile fibres. Following modifications in late 2022 and early 2023, a pre-study was conducted to assess the feasibility of establishing a commercial Kuura mill. CEO Niklas von Weymarn noted that the findings from this pre-study provided a positive indication to proceed with the project.
The pre-engineering project aims to gather essential information and expertise needed to evaluate the potential launch of the Kuura business. If the project proceeds, the mill could have a production capacity of 100,000 tonnes of textile fibre per year. However, the mill’s anticipated startup is not expected until at least 2029. Metsä Group continues to focus on sustainable practices within the textile sector as they explore the potential of eco-friendly fibre production.
