Targeting completely fossil-free raw materials

​Metsä Group’s objective is that all the raw materials it uses in its products will be fossil-free by 2030.
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  • Sustainability, 2023

Metsä Fibre is very close to this target, as pulp and sawn timber are produced from renewable wood raw material, and pulp sheets are used for wrapping pulp bales. Only the sawn timber wrappings used at sawmills are made of fossil plastic, but we are working in close collaboration with different suppliers to find a more sustainable solution also for this.

Developing fossil-free wrapping material from completely new materials is a daunting task. The wrapping must protect products from dirt, moisture and ultraviolet light, as well as withstand mechanical stress and protect the products from potential damage during transportation. In addition, the wrapping must have a friction-producing surface that prevents the bundles from moving and also allows walking on them in slippery conditions. The wrapping of the future may be fibre-based, bioplastic or combinations of both.

Providing a competitive edge and enabling sustainable consumption

Renewable and recyclable wood is the raw material of the future. It can be used to replace various fossil-based materials and make consumption more sustainable. Consumers' environmental awareness is increasing the demand for wood fibre-based products globally.

For example, fresh fibre paperboard made of pulp can be used to replace fossil-based packaging materials. Alongside traditional forest industry products, new wood-based bioproduct innovations are also being created all the time.

 

​International Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to the target:

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