Inspiring Technologies

The manufacture of fibre-based products by the forest industry is going through significant changes. Companies are craving innovations to reduce the dependency on oil-based raw materials, enhance the usage of raw materials and achieve added value for their products. This is a natural consequence of customer demand.

In the theme Inspiring Technologies we present VTT’s activities to develop new production technologies and concepts.

One of VTT’s strengths is the ability to combine chemical and biotechnical knowledge and transform this expertise into process knowhow. This combined with end-use demands gives VTT the capability to develop novel, innovative paper and carton board products.

Nothing is constant except change

Creating innovative products requires starting from raw materials. Paper and board industry relies heavily on oil-based materials in certain applications. Replacement of the oil-based material to bio-based creates a competitive advantage due to more sustainable products and processes. VTT can provide versatile competences in biotechnology and chemistry, modification and application technologies combined with knowledge of end-use requirements.

Seamless collaboration and wide array of knowledge within VTT is provided for development of new materials. Innovative use of application technologies such as thin film coatings suitable for applications of nanomaterials and other sustainable materials are an example of a combination of surface treatment methods and material requirements for manufacture of novel product developments.

We are a leading partner in the development of printed intelligence. Printed intelligence is a term that expresses the components and systems which extend the functions of printed matter beyond traditional visually interpreted text and graphics. An example of printed intelligence for paper is the use of test strips that reveal allergens in swimming or drinking water.

Nanocellulose is the most significant example of utilization of nanomaterials in novel product developments. This research area is being developed in partnership with customers and in vast public funded projects at VTT.

Our globally leading competence in biotechnology combined with knowledge of fibre value chain offers unique possibilities of synergy. Significant enhancement in water removal during paper making, made possible by allocated enzyme treatment is one example of this synergy.

How we do this

We are able to provide strong competence and tools to form a continuous research chain from material development in laboratory scale through pilot-scale testing to ensure development from ideas to commercialization with our customers.

VTT’s goal is to create a rapid and flexible value chain by co-operation with all players in the value chain and to accelerate the implementation and commercialization of bio-based products into commercial products.

There is a number of technologies being developed by VTT at the moment, and you can find more information about them from the following links:

• Atmospheric Plasma technologies
• Atomic layer deposition
• Biobarrier
• Biocomposites
  
• Digital fabrication
• Functional surfaces
• Organic pigments
• Printed intelligence
• Translucent paper

For more information, please contact Vesa Kunnari (vesa.kunnari@vtt.fi)