Metsä Group and Kemira Deepen Cooperation on Textile Fibre Development

Metsä Group and the chemical company Kemira have agreed to deepen their cooperation in developing the production method for the Kuura textile fibre, developed in Finland. According to Niklas von Weymarn, CEO of Metsä Group's innovation company Metsä Spring, Kemira's extensive expertise in process chemistry is crucial for the new fibre's manufacturing.

"Our collaboration with Kemira is a significant step in developing the Kuura fibre's production method. We strongly believe in the power of collaboration, and Kemira is a world-class expert in its field," von Weymarn stated. Kemira expressed enthusiasm for the deepened cooperation, calling it a significant milestone for the company in the renewable textile fibres market.

Metsä Group is developing the Kuura textile fibre at its demo plant in Äänekoski and is currently investigating the potential for launching the business, including the design of a first production facility. Potential locations for the mill are being considered in Kemi and Äänekoski. An assessment of a potential business launch is expected at the earliest in the late summer of 2026.

The collaboration aims to promote more sustainable solutions within the textile industry. Previously, Metsä Group and Kemira also agreed to intensify their sustainability cooperation to reduce the environmental impact of the forest industry. Within the Kuura concept, the companies' research currently focuses on areas such as solvent recovery, analytics, fibre bleaching, and microbiology management in various aqueous solutions.