Kuura textile fiber, made from domestic softwood pulp, contributes to increasing the processing level of the forest industry.
Heli Kuorikoski started studying mathematical subjects because they had always seemed natural to him. He did not choose a forest-based study path, even though he grew up on a forest farm in Central Finland. There, the industry in the field is constantly present in the landscape.
"Growing up on a forest farm, I've planted a lot of seedlings. I also like spending time in the forest."
During his studies, Kuorokoski was particularly drawn to chemistry.
"I applied to several places. I wanted to study chemistry, biochemistry, and different materials."
Summer job led to cardboard
The road took me to the then Tampere University of Technology to study materials technology. The summer after the first two years of study confirmed my future direction.
"I got a job offer for a summer job at the Tako cardboard factory in Tampere. I started to understand what kind of materials technology I would like to focus on in the future and what kind of materials to study."
The newly graduated M.Sc. in Materials Technology still started his career working in plastics at Perlos.
"I worked with fossil materials for a while, as a quality engineer in product development projects for mobile phone cases. For most of my career, over 20 years, I have been involved in the production of cardboard at Metsä Board, including three years in the USA."
The work on the cell phone cases was fast-paced.
"The pace of innovation was undeniably fast in mobile phones, but I still think that the plastics industry is primarily about the assembly industry. Product development for renewable materials, on the other hand, is hi-tech."
Highly refined textile fiber from softwood pulp
The Kuura textile fiber pilot plant began operations in 2020 at Metsä Group's factory site in Äänekoski. Kuorikoski began managing the pilot plant in the summer of 2021.
Kuura is a product developed by Metsä Group's innovation company Metsä Spring. The wood raw material is sourced from the forests of Metsä Group's owner members, and Finnish softwood pulp is processed into a new type of highly refined textile fiber. It can be used to make both clothing and technical textiles.
The climate warming effect of frost is clearly smaller than that of competing products, as industrial production would be combined with Metsä Group's bioproduct mill, which uses no fossil energy in its processes.
“Kura is a new type of material and an alternative to the ever-increasing demand for cellulose-based materials in the textile industry. The textile market is growing so fast that cotton is no longer able to meet the challenge.”
Metsä Group is currently also in the process of preliminary planning for a commercial-scale Kuura textile fiber mill. There are two possible locations for the industrial-scale plant, Äänekoski or Kemi.
“The investment decision can be made no earlier than the end of 2026, once the preliminary planning is completed,” says Kuorikoski.
Three tips for students:
1. Your field of study does not determine where you end up. You can enter an export sector like the forest industry from a variety of educational backgrounds. It is also possible to create an international career path with bio- and circular economy products.
2. Be brave and dare to step outside your comfort zone. You will receive orientation and advice, and the work will teach you.
3. In general, it is a good idea to be proactive and proactive during your studies and internship. Responsibility is given if you show a desire to develop.
A timeline
1995
Start of studies in the Materials Engineering degree program at Tampere University of Technology (now University of Tampere)
1997
First summer job in the forest industry at Metsä-Serla's (now Metsä Board) Tako board mill
2000
From plastic to cardboard – from Perlos to Metsä-Serla's Äänekoski cardboard mill
2002
Involved in the Äänekoski board machine renewal project
2012
Moving from the factory to technical marketing and later product development in the carton business
2017
Metsä Board's sales company in the United States to be responsible for technical service to customers in North and South America
2019
As Director of Metsä Board's R&D Laboratory for the competence center to be established in Äänekoski
2021
As the delivery manager of Metsä Group's Kuura pilot plant
