Metsä Group’s research and development activities focus on three priority areas: developing an attractive product portfolio, improving cost competitiveness and ensuring the long-term relevance of the forest industry in Finland.
The development of the product portfolio emphasises new products and concepts in mechanical wood processing, fibre-based products that replace plastic, and services for forest owners.
Cost competitiveness is improved by seeking to refine side streams such as lignin and carbon dioxide, and by developing and adopting new technologies that increase industrial efficiency.
Ensuring the long-term operating conditions of the forest industry requires the development of regenerative forestry, the development of completely new fibre products, and research and development into future biorefining concepts.
Collaboration with universities and research institutes enables the development of new innovations.
For example, partnership agreements with the University of Oulu, the University of Helsinki and the University of Jyväskylä aim to promote long-term research collaboration.
Metsä Group is also active in national and EU research and development networks. Networks and co-funded research programmes play a key role in acquiring new knowledge and in the early stages of new product development processes.
Metsä Group’s innovation company Metsä Spring aims to commercialise new wood-based innovations. Metsä Spring’s portfolio includes three in-house projects:
In addition, Metsä Spring has invested in six startups. Explore the up-to-date portfolio here.
