Innovation and R&D

In R&D, we focus on evolving customer needs

Innovation at the core of our operations

Valmet’s mission is to convert renewable resources into sustainable results, and to make industrial processes reliable and efficient. The aim of our research and development work is to create new technologies, products and services that address customer needs and help respond to some of the most important global megatrends: enhancing the efficiency of raw materials, water and energy, promoting the use of renewable raw materials and reducing emissions.

500+

R&D professionals

1,400

protected inventions

34

R&D centers

EUR 123

million R&D expenses

Valmet’s unique product and services offering is based on leading technology and the continuous development of new solutions to improve our customers’ performance. Valmet launches around 100 new products onto the market every year. These products are often created in close cooperation with our customers or our network of leading universities and research institutes around the world.

The integration of sustainability topics in our R&D operations is ensured through the sustainability criteria that are an integral part of our innovation process. The criteria ensure that an innovation increases resource efficiency, reduces emissions and improves safety. They also help ensure the innovation’s compliance with product and process safety legislation. Finally, they guarantee that sustainability benefits are integrated in the final product or solution to be launched.

Carbon neutral processes

Our target is to enable 100 percent carbon neutral production for all our pulp and paper customers by 2030 by developing new process technologies, and by improving the energy efficiency of its current offering by 20 percent. We have progressed well with this target, and today our technologies already enable carbon neutral board, tissue and paper production for customers with access to fossil-free energy sources. For energy customers, we have already long enabled carbon neutral heat and power production with our biomass-based energy solutions.

Enabling circular economy

Through our technology, automation and services offering, we have a key role in enabling our customers to apply a circular economy in their operations. With our solutions, customers can use and recover energy, water and chemicals more efficiently or minimize waste by using production side-streams from other applications, processes or even industries. Our energy technologies enable the conversion of waste to energy, and our comprehensive services and automation help customers to utilize these technologies for decades.

Improving efficiency with digitalization

More autonomous and optimized operations are key to improving operational performance in terms of productivity and environmental efficiency. This can be achieved with advanced automation and Industrial Internet solutions. Many companies are working to increase the autonomy of their mill or plant operations. We continuously work to help our customers to move towards more autonomous and optimized operations, starting from intelligent and connected process technology to process and mill-wide optimization.

Resource efficiency - more with less

In our R&D work, we focus on developing process technology, automation and services that improve raw material, energy, water and chemical efficiency. Our paper making technologies such as the OptiConcept M modular board and paper production line and Advantage NTT tissue production line allow significant savings in energy, water and raw material consumption. In pulp production, raw material and energy efficiency, combined with circularity, play an important role in more sustainable pulp production and allow to get more from less. 

From fossil to renewable materials

For biomass conversion Valmet has introduced several new technologies to the market, including LignoBoostTM for lignin separation, a pyrolysis solution for bio-oil production, and a gasifier for solid biomass and waste. We are also partnering in developing a new wood-based 3D fiber product for the global forest industry and in developing processes for textile recycling and cellulose-based textile fibers. We are also developing solutions to replace plastic with renewable materials and researching the possibilities to use recycled or even bio-based materials in production consumables in paper making.

Piloting opportunities

Valmet’s pilot facilities carry out both internal R&D and customer projects. Our pilot facilities enable us to decrease the time to market and reduce risks in commercializing new technologies. We offer our customers the opportunity to utilize Valmet’s pilot facilities to test new furnish or fuel, or to optimize their processes from the energy, raw material and water consumption perspective.

Our research and development work is complemented by a close cooperation with a network of world-leading research facilities and universities e.g. Aalto University, Jyväskylä University, Tampere Univeristy, Åbo Akademi and VTT in Finland, Chalmers, KTH, Uppsala University, Umeå University, Mitt Universitet and Innventia in Sweden, SINTEF in Norway, Universidade Federal de Viçosa and Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina in Brazil, and Asian Institue of Technology AIT in Thailand. 

Explore our piloting locations and opportunities:

We operate multiple pilot facilities for internal R&D and customer projects. Our piloting services cater to paper, board, tissue, pulp, and energy-producing customers. These services empower customers to enhance performance, compare process configurations, test materials, and optimize existing or new processes. Modern laboratories within the facilities provide reliable test data, enabling quick adjustments during pilot trials. Ultimately, pilot trials reduce uncertainties related to material changes and investments.

Valmet piloting locations

Valmet pilot facilities map
On this image
  • 1 Green Bay, USA
  • 2 Sundsvall, Sweden
  • 3 Karlstad, Sweden
  • 4 Pori, Finland
  • 5 Tampere, Finland
  • 6 Jyväskylä, FInland
  • 7 Raisio, Finland
  • 8 Järvenpää, Finland
  • 9 Inkeroinen, Finland
  • 10 Foshan, China
  • 11 Lucca, Italy
  • 12 Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • 13 Joinville, Brazil
  • 14 LignoBoost mobile pilot plant

Discover more about our R&D work

Sustainability

Valmet’s sustainability strategy is deeply embedded in its core business operations and is structured around three main pillars: environmental responsibility, social responsibility, and governance.

Beyond Circularity

Beyond Circularity is Valmet’s R&D program and ecosystem to transform waste and emissions into valuable resources for sustainable growth and accelerating the green transition.

Security advisories

At Valmet, we consider the security of our products, systems and services a top priority. Vulnerability management is one essential part of managing and minimizing security risks to our and customers’ business.

Insights on innovation

Beyond Circularity: Innovations in fiber and water analysis technologies

New wood pulp applications bring exciting opportunities, such as raw materials for textiles, films, and liquid packaging.

The next era: growing the tissue family

Valmet has grown over the years, but our core have always been about strong partnerships and shared experiences. Watch episode 5 in our Tissue 50+ series and see how we’re shaping the future as one united tissue family.

The sustainability era: making efficiency count

With innovation at the core of everything we do, we aim to lead by example, not just meeting industry demands, but staying one step ahead of them. Watch episode 4 in our Tissue 50+ video series and see how we made efficiency count.

Valmet strengthens its portfolio with palletizing: innovative solutions for end-to-end packaging

Valmet expands its portfolio by adding palletizing to its range of innovative end-to-end packaging solutions. From production to primary and secondary packaging, all the way to pallets ready for logistics, Valmet now offers a complete solution that covers the entire process and simplifies plant integration. The goal is to ensure efficiency and continuous operations through advanced, flexible technologies designed to meet the needs of modern production lines.

Casmatic B23 – Modularity and flexibility for more compact, efficient lines

For many tissue manufacturers, optimizing production space and reducing installation times are top priorities. They need a compact, fast, and easy-to-manage machine that integrates seamlessly with existing lines. To address these needs, Valmet developed the new Casmatic B23, showcased at the Bologna Packaging Open House in a completely renewed configuration.

Tested & Proven 3/3: Putting product quality to the test

This blog explores how Valmet’s advanced valve testing and quality control processes deliver real value to customers. From supplier audits and risk management to full inspections and pressure testing, every step ensures reliable performance and on-time delivery. We support customer-specific requirements like cryo and FAT testing and maintain consistent quality across global facilities. Whether your application involves demanding media or tight specs, our valves are built to meet expectations - m...

The transformational era: a turning point in our story

Making new connections can be nerve-wracking… but sometimes necessary. Episode 3 of our Tissue 50+ series dives into how bold ideas and openness to change transformed our path.

OptiSizer Hard: Improved strength with hard nip sizing

Innovative OptiSizer Hard uses high nip loads to improve sheet strength properties by taking advantage of the better starch penetration in the base sheet. The deflection compensated rolls with hard covers give high loading capacity and good profile features resulting in excellent runnability.

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