"We think carefully about what we do, because the customer's interests must be the number one priority. Cost-efficiency and sustainable development also guide product development work and decision-making," says the doctor of philosophy, physicist Viivi Villa-Nuottajärvi.
He has been leading product development for paper machine fabrics in Valmet Fabrics since the beginning of the year. Prior to this, he served as Valmet's Industrial Rights Manager and is still responsible for Fabrics' patent portfolio.
Villa-Nuottajärvi says his appointment is part of the business changes that the business director who joined the company in 2020 has introduced. Tero Kokko has begun to move forward in an organized and energetic manner.
Paper machine fabrics and filter fabrics are part of Valmet's Service business in the stable business segment. Paper machine fabrics production plants are currently located in Tampere and Juankoski. A third plant is located in Tianjin, China. Wetted fabrics, press fabrics, belts and dryer fabrics are the key product groups of paper machine fabrics.
"We are improving the service life of products, looking for new materials and new types of yarn, as well as new environmentally friendly solutions. The polymers and binding yarns brought about by sustainable development must last as long as conventional materials. There are plenty of challenges, but the same challenge is also faced by competitors," says Villa-Nuottajärvi.
Valmet Fabrics' flagship product is the Valmet Black Belt, a shoe press belt that removes water from the web in the press section of paper, board and pulp machines. A patent has been applied for and has already been granted in several countries for its polymer blend. The patent's scope of protection is very broad and is one of the prides of Valmet's product development.
As demand for printing and writing paper machines has decreased and continues to decrease, Valmet is also investing in product development for tissue, pulp and board machines, which are at the heart of its strategy.
"I expect that when we direct our product development resources, these three product segments must be visible. We already have good products for printing and writing papers," says Viivi Villa-Nuottajärvi.
The company's second focus is reviewing and developing its product development portfolio so that it aligns with its strategy.
“In my daily work, I drive forward the clarification of the work goals of our product development teams so that our product development resources can be focused on developing new products and further improving existing products.”
Text by Leif Lindberg
Photo Valmet
