Katja Konola-Manninen and Janne Airola have been appointed as Development Managers to the textile fibre demo plant owned by Metsä Spring Ltd and Itochu Corporation. The appointments are effective May 27, 2019. Katja will be responsible for setting up the analytical methods needed in the demo plant, as well as for controlling the product quality. Janne, respectively, will be responsible for the development of the unit processes within the demo plant. Katja and Janne report to Plant Manager Pertti Tiitola.
The new joint venture, hosting the demo plant phase, was established by Metsä Spring and Itochu last October on a 50:50 basis. The plant, which is currently being built integrated to Metsä Group’s bioproduct mill in Äänekoski, Finland, will enable further development and validation of a novel, environmentally more sustainable production technology. The technology is based on converting Metsä Fibre’s paper-grade pulp directly into textile fibres. The equipment installation will begin during the summer and the actual production is expected to start in the end of 2019. The goal of the demo plant phase is to prove that the new technology and product are ready for actual industrialisation.
To complete the operative team, the demo plant is currently looking for six research operators.
For further information please contact:
Niklas von Weymarn, CEO, Metsä Spring Ltd, tel. +358 40 547 6977
Pertti Tiitola, Plant Manager, MI Demo Ltd, tel. +358 40 502 6328