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Metsä Group has selected Valmet to deliver a 3D Fiber moulded fibre production line for their mill in Äänekoski, Finland. The investment responds to growing demand for alternatives to replace plastics by enabling high-volume industrial production of three-dimensional fibre-based packaging that is competitive with similar plastic solutions. Source: Timberbiz This investment marks a significant milestone as the world’s first commercial-scale implementation of the innovation. It follows Valmet’s extensive development, piloting, and the successful launch of the 3D Fiber technology in June 2026. The start-up of the line is scheduled for 2028. “After years of fruitful co-development with Valmet, including the start-up of the joint demo plant in 2022, Muoto is now entering an exciting new phase. We are expanding our capabilities, deepening customer collaborations, and building the foundations for future growth. At the same time, demand is growing for packaging solutions that combine performance, circularity, and scalability,” said Antti Valtonen, Vice President of the Muoto project, Metsä Spring. Valmet 3D Fibre technology enables the production of lightweight yet rigid end products, including trays, plates, and food packaging containers, offering alternatives to plastic. The technology uses cellulose fibres to form ready-to-use, three-dimensional products directly from pulp, eliminating the need for intermediate steps. Valmet offers a complete solution from fibre processing to automatic packing of end products along with services. With comprehensive testing and piloting opportunities, customers are able to develop and test new end products together with Valmet. “Valmet 3D Fiber technology is the first large-scale moulded fibre production technology on the market, and it provides an attractive and competitive end-to-end solution for the growing sustainable packaging market. “The investment confirms the market potential of the technology and accelerates the replacement of plastic packaging in high-volume production. Over the years, Metsä Group and Valmet have worked closely together to develop and validate the 3D Fiber technology, creating a strong foundation of trust and shared ambition,” said Juho Pyrrö, Head of 3D Fiber at Valmet. Valmet and Metsä Group have been developing the technology together in a demo plant in Äänekoski. The new production line will be located alongside the existing demo plant with a nominal capacity of more than 100 million products per year, demonstrating the scalability of the technology and paving the way for future industrial investments.

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Timber crane operators are increasingly looking for control systems that offer ease of use, precise controllability, and superior operating comfort. During long working days, a smooth control feel, quiet operation, and the ability to adapt the system to individual operator preferences become especially important. Source: Timberbiz Kesla addresses these needs with the new KESLA proPILOT and KESLA proC i 2.0 control systems. Both systems have been developed to provide smooth and precise crane control together with a user-friendly operating experience across a wide range of timber crane applications. KESLA proPILOT – Smooth, Precise and Quiet Crane Control KESLA proPILOT is a hydraulically pilot-operated control system designed for both high seat and cabin-mounted timber cranes. The system delivers smooth and precise crane operation through load-sensing (LS) control hydraulics and light, smoothly operating control levers. Key advantages of proPILOT include its comfortable operating feel and exceptionally quiet operation, helping to reduce operator fatigue during long working shifts. Control options include: 2-lever control with pedals 4-lever control with pedals   KESLA proC i 2.0 – An Electrically Pilot-Operated Control System Designed for cabin-mounted cranes, KESLA proC i 2.0 is an electrically pilot-operated control system that combines precise crane handling, versatile adjustment options and operator-specific customization. Its smooth and precise control feel is achieved through the combination of load-sensing (LS) hydraulics, joystick controls and touchscreen-based adjustment features. Operator profiles allow the system to be tailored to the preferences of multiple users. In addition to the factory default settings, the system can store personalized settings for up to five operators. Separate loading and unloading profiles can also be configured for each operator. KESLA proC i 2.0 control options include: 2-lever control with mini joysticks 2-lever control with maxi handles 2-lever control with pedals 4-lever control with pedals   Both proPILOT and proC i 2.0 have been designed to meet the expectations of today’s timber transport and forestry professionals, including comfortable operation, precise controllability, reliability, and the ability to tailor crane controls to individual preferences. With the introduction of these new control systems, Kesla continues to enhance its timber crane offering by providing operators with greater comfort, flexibility and control throughout the working day.

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