Espoo, Finland – Metsä Group’s innovation arm, Metsä Spring, has commenced pre-commercial sales of its three-dimensional, wood-based packaging solution, Muoto™. The packaging, developed at a demo plant in collaboration with Valmet, has been in production in Äänekoski, Finland, since May 2022.
Designed as a durable and recyclable alternative to plastic, Muoto is aimed at various applications, including takeaway food packaging and industrial packing. Metsä Group is working with pilot customers during this phase, with availability limited by volume and packaging type.
“We have been extremely pleased with the early results of Muoto. In wood-based product development, it’s quite rare to have a product ready after only a few years of development,” said Jarkko Tuominen, Vice President of Projects at Metsä Spring. “Designed for durability and safety, Muoto is ideal for a wide range of uses, from serving dishes to food containers.”
The manufacturing process of Muoto eliminates multiple supply chain steps required in conventional packaging production. Pulp slurry is fed into a mould, formed, dried, and cut, producing ready-to-use packaging with minimal water and resource consumption. The largely automated production line integrates machine learning to enhance efficiency and reliability.
With growing regulatory pressure on single-use plastics in the European Union, including the proposed Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), the industry is shifting toward sustainable alternatives. Metsä Group sees Muoto as a viable solution to support circularity and reduce environmental impact.
“At Metsä Group, we are constantly exploring wood-based innovations to replace fossil-based products,” said Niklas von Weymarn, CEO of Metsä Spring. “With Muoto, we offer an alternative to plastic-dominated markets, balancing functionality, responsibility, and design.”
Metsä Group aims to assess the potential for commercial-scale production by 2025, based on pilot results and market feedback.