Metsä Group to Build R&D Lab for Veneer-Based Wood Products in Finland

Metsä Group recently announced the construction of a new research and development laboratory in Äänekoski, Finland, dedicated to developing veneer-based wood products. The laboratory is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, and the investment value is approximately EUR 6 million (US$6.8 million).

The laboratory will be a test environment for researching and developing new high-value veneer-based wood products in collaboration with Metsä Group’s partner network. The investment will establish the conditions for testing material-efficient load-bearing structures and enable product research based on a broader raw material base.

The new facility will be built adjacent to the Kerto LVL mill currently under construction in Äänekoski, with production scheduled to begin by the end of 2026. Äänekoski is home to Metsä Group’s largest mill area, which includes its cartonboard, veneer, and bioproduct mills. The site also hosts the company’s Kuura textile fiber and Muoto fiber product pilot plants. In addition, a demonstration plant for lignin products is under construction and expected to be completed by the end of the year.

In a statement, Jaakko Anttila, Executive Vice President of Metsä Wood, said:

“We are enhancing the production process of our products to improve material efficiency and reduce environmental impact. We aim to utilise our raw materials precisely and generate the highest possible added value. With the new research and development laboratory, the lead time of our research and development projects will be significantly shortened, accelerating the development of our product portfolio in the long term.”