Metsä Group’s 3D Fibre project supported by the EU Innovation Fund

3D Fibre project centers around for establishing the first commercial factory for producing Muoto™ packaging products in Rauma, Finland.

The Innovation Fund is an EU program that supports the development and deployment of innovative low-carbon technologies to advance climate neutrality and competitiveness. Metsä Group participates with its innovative project “Functional, safe and sustainable 3D wood-fibre based packaging innovation to replace plastics in food and food service packaging”.

The 3D Fibre project introduces an innovative and sustainable packaging solution to replace fossil-based plastic packaging in selected end use applications, particularly in the food packaging industry. Muoto products are suitable for various food types, including dry, moist, non-fatty, and fatty foods, creating versatile and functional packaging that excels in both performance and aesthetics.

Supported by partial funding from the EU Innovation Fund with a grant of up to EUR 86.5 million, the project will establish a first-of-its-kind production plant in Rauma, Finland. At full capacity, the plant will produce over 1 billion units annually using advanced and novel 3D Fibre technology. This process converts wood-fibres into rigid, lightweight, and recyclable packaging while conserving raw materials, energy, and water—all powered by renewable energy. The project is expected to avoid 4.2 million tonnes of CO2e emissions in its first decade of operation, contributing to Europe’s circular economy goals and reducing reliance on imported crude oil. Additionally, the plant will create 200 direct jobs, 200 indirect jobs, and result in a total employment impact of approximately 1,000 during construction. With high replicability, the technology allows adaptation for diverse bio-based applications and flexible three-dimensional packaging designs, marking a significant milestone in sustainable innovation.

To be noted: 3D Fibre project is still pending the final investment decision.

Additional information

Project summary

The project introduces an innovative and sustainable packaging solution that replaces traditional fossil-based plastic packages. The project will build a first-of-a-kind production plant that, at full scale, will have an estimated production capacity of over 1 billion packaging per annum. This plant will be an important industrial milestone, implementing the next-generation 3D Fibre technology that converts wood fibres into safe packaging while saving raw material, energy, and water. The new production process and packaging solution is expected to result in a 110% relative greenhouse gas (GHG) emission avoidance compared to fossil-based plastic packaging solutions.

The innovativeness of the project is two-fold It introduces a novel modular,highly automated production system, and its product solutions are closer to plastic alternatives than state-of-the-art products. 3D Fibre packaging solutions are light yet very rigid, thanks to their unique multi-layer structure. The wood-fibre raw materials and 3D Fibre products are manufactured using only renewable energy.

3D Fibre packaging solutions will play an integral part in strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy in sustainable packaging technologies. It will contribute to reducing Europe’s GHG emissions and its dependence on imported crude oil in the packaging sector. Most importantly, this project is a significant step forward for boosting Europe’s circular economy ambitions as well as tackling the challenges related to packaging waste.

The proposed solution of 3D Fibre can be adapted to use different bio-based raw materials making its replicability potential very high. Flexible moulding technology will enable the production of many shapes in the future.

Project details

Project number	101191069
Project name	Functional, safe and sustainable 3D wood-fibre based packaging innovation to replace plastics in food and food service packaging
Project acronym	3D Fibre
Call	InnovFund-2023-NZT
Topic	INNOVFUND-2023-NZT-GENERAL-LSP
Type of action	InnovFund-LS
Service	CINEA/C/04
Project starting date	Fixed date: 1 January 2025
Project duration	132 months

Project Coordinator and participants

The coordinator of the project is METSALIITTO OSUUSKUNTA and the participants of the project are both METSALIITTO OSUUSKUNTA and METSA SPRING OY.

For further information please contact:

Jarkko Tuominen, VP Projects
email: jarkko.tuominen[a]metsagroup.com, tel. +358407787328

What is Innovation Fund?

The Innovation Fund is one of the world’s largest funding programs dedicated to deploying net-zero and innovative technologies. As the EU's key fund for climate policy, it focuses on decarbonising European industry, fostering climate neutrality, and boosting competitiveness. Its objectives include supporting clean energy investments, driving economic growth, creating sustainable jobs, and solidifying Europe’s leadership in green technologies, in alignment with the European Green Deal.

The fund provides resources for innovative projects in areas such as low-carbon technologies, carbon capture and utilization (CCU), carbon capture and storage (CCS), renewable energy generation, and energy storage. Administered by the European Climate (CINEA), Infrastructure, and Environment Agency, it emphasizes highly innovative and first-of-a-kind projects that significantly reduce emissions. By sharing risks with project promoters, the fund ensures impactful solutions while positioning Europe as a leader in clean technology and sustainability. Read more here.

Disclaimer

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.