Metsä Group and the wood products industry technology supplier Raute have signed an agreement for the technology delivery of the new Kerto LVL mill in Äänekoski, Finland.
Raute's technology includes all the main production processes of the mill, from veneer peeling to LVL billet pressing. The production lines will use Raute's latest technology in automation and data collection.
"By investing in the best available technology in the industry, we will significantly improve the efficiency of Kerto LVL production and ensure a safe and versatile working environment for our employees. Our long-term cooperation with Raute and the joint development of the mill's technological solutions provide excellent conditions for achieving these goals," says Jaakko Anttila, Executive Vice President, Metsä Wood.
"We will combine our latest innovations and advanced solutions in the delivery. A sustainable partnership with Metsä Group creates a solid basis for successful cooperation," says Mika Saariaho, Chief Executive Officer, Raute.
Metsä Group's Kerto LVL mill project in Äänekoski is progressing according to plan, and construction work is currently underway. The employment impact of the construction phase of the project is estimated to be around 1000 person-years. When completed, the mill will employ around 150 people directly and 200 people in its value chain. The mill will have an annual production capacity of about 160,000 cubic metres of Kerto LVL and is expected to start production in the second half of 2026. Kerto LVL products, which are strong and material-efficient for the construction industry, store carbon and reduce the carbon footprint of construction.