VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., has launched a €3.6 million worth project on foam forming technology, along with an international industrial consortium.

In the foam forming process, a significant amount of air, in the form of tiny bubbles, is mixed to a water-fibre suspension. This improves the properties of paper and paperboard as well as the raw material and energy efficiency. The technology can also be used in the production of porous, lightweight, and even products such as nonwovens and insulation materials.

The aim of the 2.5 years project is to speed up the implementation of the technology towards industrial scale. The project targets to explore how current paper and board machines could be converted to foam forming.

The project will support Europe to achieve its low-carbon, resource-efficiency goals and promotes the Finnish Bioeconomy Cluster’s research strategy, one of the aims of which is to develop smart and resource-efficient production technologies, according to a press release.

Harri Kiiskinen, VTT’s principal scientist leading the project said, “It is great to see so many innovative companies, which are joining their forces to develop the foam technology further. The project will strengthen the already strong position of VTT and Central Finland as the leading centre of expertise for fibre-based products and bioeconomy. It also builds confidence that our long-term R&D work in the paper and board sector is highly valued by the companies.”

The project has received a million euro funding from the European Regional Development Fund, via the Regional Council of Central Finland. (GK)