Metsä Group is constructing a research and development laboratory in Äänekoski, Finland, dedicated to developing veneer-based wood products. The new facility will be located alongside the new Kerto LVL mill currently under construction in Äänekoski. The laboratory is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, and the investment value is approximately EUR 6 million.
The laboratory will be a test environment for researching and developing new high-value veneer-based wood products in collaboration with Metsä Group's partner network. The investment will establish the conditions for testing material-efficient load-bearing structures and enable product research based on a broader raw material base.
"We are enhancing the production process of our products to improve material efficiency and reduce environmental impact. We aim to utilise our raw materials precisely and generate the highest possible added value. With the new research and development laboratory, the lead time of our research and development projects will be significantly shortened, accelerating the development of our product portfolio in the long term," says Jaakko Anttila, Executive Vice President, Metsä Wood.
The Äänekoski mill area in Finland is the largest of Metsä Group, housing the company's cartonboard, veneer, and bioproduct mills. A new Kerto LVL mill is currently under construction in the mill area, with production expected to start by the end of 2026. Metsä Group's Kuura textile fibre and Muoto fibre product pilot plants are also located in Äänekoski. A demo plant for lignin products is also under construction in the mill area, and it is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.