New machinery, valued at €3 million ($3.4 million), will help researchers scale up laboratory production of materials based on cellulose and other fibers. The materials could replace plastic and mineral-based materials currently used in the industrial sector.
“The scale of our bioproduct development environment, which we use to promote the development of the forest industry, makes it unique in the world,” says VTT executive vice president Jussi Manninen. “We at VTT believe in the future of cellulose and other natural fibres, as our industry needs new high value-added products in addition to paper and board.”
The new machinery will also be used in an international project called Future Fibre Products. The 33-company consortium will have access to VTT’s research environment.