Metsä Group announced a €25 million investment in a new Muoto production line in Äänekoski, Finland, designed to manufacture its Muoto products for applications including demanding serving and food packaging. The line will be located next to the company’s existing Muoto demo plant and is scheduled to begin operations in 2028.
Muoto packaging is made directly from Metsä’s wet wood pulp without intermediate processing steps, creating a lightweight material designed to provide stiffness and functionality. The new line, supplied by Valmet, will have a nominal capacity of more than 100 million products per year. Metsä also said the products meet requirements under the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.
The investment will significantly expand Muoto production capacity, supporting broader adoption of fibre-based packaging and strengthening Metsä Group’s position in renewable material solutions for foodservice and consumer packaging.
Image Credit: Metsä Group
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Wet-pulp Packaging
- Direct conversion from wet wood pulp reduces processing complexity while enabling lighter, rigid packaging formats that can challenge conventional molded plastics.
- Fibre-based Foodservice Materials
- Renewable fibre solutions are gaining relevance as foodservice operators seek compliant, functional packaging for demanding serving and takeaway applications.
- Regulation-ready Packaging
- EU packaging rules are accelerating demand for materials designed around recyclability, renewable inputs, and lower reliance on fossil-based substrates.
Where This Applies
- Food Packaging
- High-capacity wood-fibre production creates room for scalable alternatives to plastic trays, bowls, and containers used across packaged foods.
- Foodservice
- Restaurants, cafés, and catering providers may benefit from durable fibre-based serving formats that align with sustainability targets and packaging regulation.
- Forest Products
- Advanced pulp processing expands the role of forestry companies beyond raw materials into higher-value renewable packaging platforms.
