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Collaboration between Valmet and VTT supports faster innovation and technology scale-up. 1 October 2026 Valmet and VTT are strengthening their collaboration to help accelerate the development and scale-up of next-generation fibre-based products. The cooperation brings together the organizations' piloting assets, expertise and networks in Jyväskylä, Finland. By combining the complementary capabilities of Valmet and VTT, customers can be supported throughout the innovation journey, from early development work to piloting and technology demonstration. "This collaboration enables us to leverage our combined assets and scale solutions all the way to industrial-scale implementation, demonstrating how we can help companies to renew and strengthen their competitiveness in a rapidly changing market," says Kalle Härkki CEO, VTT. The collaboration helps customers address business and development challenges more efficiently by combining the organizations' expertise and piloting capabilities to enhance existing products and explore new technologies and applications. "Together, we can help customers solve their business challenges faster, whether they are improving existing products or exploring innovative solutions that support circularity and resource-efficient use of materials, such as foam application technology for chemicals and functional additives," says Petri Rasinmäki, Executive Vice President, Packaging and Paper Business Area, Valmet. The cooperation has already demonstrated how new technologies can be developed and scaled up by combining the capabilities of the two organizations. One example is VTT's support for the development of Valmet's novel molded fiber technology. With a wide range of piloting options available, customers can select the approach that best supports their development needs and stage of innovation. The combination of advanced piloting infrastructure and close collaboration helps maximize the value of product development and scale-up activities. "Customers can choose the piloting model that best supports their innovation journey. Piloting infrastructure creates the greatest value when it is used in true collaboration, with customers contributing their own expertise and understanding of end-user market requirements," concludes Atte Virtanen, Vice President, Advanced bio-based materials, VTT.

Valmet launches renewed sizer roll cover portfolio. The new rubber cover, Valmet Sizer Roll Cover SH-EC, is engineered to give long running intervals with uniform and reliable film transfer, unaffected by hydrophobic sizing agents. The SH-EC cover is especially suitable for containerboard film sizing. Photo: Valmet Published by Valmet has renewed its sizer roll cover portfolio to help board and paper producers improve machine performance, extend running intervals, and achieve more consistent sizing and coating quality. The updated product range with three totally new products introduces new material technologies and application-specific designs that support mills in meeting today's efficiency, sustainability, and cost competitiveness demands. The Sizer Roll Cover CF product family now includes two new polyurethane covers, Valmet Sizer Roll Cover CF-M and CF-EC, which combine extremely high wear resistance with optimized surface characteristics. Improved material technology enables long regrinding intervals under harsh operating conditions in film and pond sizers. Altogether, the CF cover family offers top performance for container and packaging boards as well as for specialty papers. The new rubber cover, Valmet Sizer Roll Cover SH-EC, is engineered to give long running intervals with uniform and reliable film transfer, unaffected by hydrophobic sizing agents. The SH-EC cover is especially suitable for containerboard film sizing. "The covers' wear resistance and surface characteristics have been thoroughly tested in both laboratory and mill conditions. For example, at a mill producing glassine paper, the roll change interval was increased up to threefold while coating quality improved using the new Valmet Sizer Roll Cover CF-M," says Tatu Pitkänen, Global Technology Manager, Roll Covers and Maintenance at Valmet. Valmet Sizer Roll Cover CF-M is a new addition to Valmet's extensive sizer roll cover portfolio. It is an extremely wear resistant cover with stable performance, resulting in excellent film and paper quality. Lifecycle support for sizing and coating performance Selecting sizer roll covers together with Valmet's experts leads to higher production efficiency, improved paper quality, and cost savings. In addition to advanced roll cover technology, Valmet provides a wide range of lifecycle services, including maintenance, process optimization, and digital solutions such as Valmet iRoll, a real-time profile measurement tool. "Our customers are looking for solutions that deliver stable operation, predictable performance, and longer service life, even under increasingly demanding conditions. With our extensive sizer roll cover portfolio, digital tools, and global service expertise, we help customers improve efficiency, reduce unplanned shutdowns, and maintain consistent end-product quality throughout the equipment lifecycle," says Antti Sutinen, Director, Roll Services and Mill Maintenance Operation at Valmet.

Valmet Engraving Solutions expands in north America. September 22, 2026 Valmet has expanded its Engraving Solutions offering after opening an operational site at its Green Bay, America-based facility. According to the supplier, the facility will bring advanced engraving capabilities including pilot lines, visualisation tools, shorter development cycles, and local technical expertise closer to the market, enabling more direct collaboration with tissue producers. Solutions will continue to be developed with a targeted approach, addressing regional requirements, consumer preferences, and the specific characteristics of each production line. The site will have three Direct Laser machines showcasing the engraving process, and it is planned to start production in two phases with the first by the end of 2026 and the second in early 2028. The company said: "In the tissue industry, product differentiation is becoming increasingly important. "Consumers are focusing not only on performance, but also on aesthetics and tactile experience, which directly influences the perceived value of the product. "In this context, engraving has taken on a new role. Once mainly a functional element, it has become a key factor in defining product identity, combining design and performance." Customers can also leverage Valmet's global network of pilot lines located in key tissue hubs around the world. This allows tissue producers to validate concepts, test embossing and engraving solutions under real production conditions, and accelerate development regardless of their location.