Metsä Group’s innovation company Metsä Spring has selected two new partners for the pre-engineering of the Kuura textile fibre: Sweco, a design and consulting company; and Fimpec, a consulting, design and project management company.

Metsä Spring has signed a contract with Sweco for the Kuura textile fibre mill’s pre-engineering, during which Sweco will provide Metsä Spring with design services. Sweco has also been a partner in other Metsä Group mill projects, including in 2018–2020, when it partnered with Metsä Spring for the design and construction of the Kuura demo plant.

In turn, Fimpec will provide Metsä Spring with construction consulting services during the pre-engineering of the Kuura textile fibre mill. Fimpec has also participated in Metsä Group’s previous projects. For example, it was the developer in the Äänekoski and Kemi bioproduct mill projects.

“Based on our previous experience, we have strong confidence in both Sweco’s and Fimpec’s competence. It’s natural to continue our cooperation on the important Kuura project,” says Jari-Pekka Johansson, Metsä Spring’s Project Director.

Metsä Group has been developing the Kuura textile fibre at its demo plant in Äänekoski since 2020. In February this year, the company announced the initiation of pre-engineering of a commercial Kuura textile fibre mill. The project will involve developing the Kuura fibre production process, investigating market entry and project financing, and applying for an environmental permit.

No decision on the construction of the Kuura mill has been made yet. Such a decision cannot be made until the end of 2026, after the completion of pre-engineering.