At Valmet’s Fiber Technology Center in Inkeroinen, Finland, pulp drying innovation extends well beyond laboratory research. The Pulp Drying Pilot Plant serves as a global benchmark for testing, optimizing, and developing pulp drying processes under real production-like conditions. Equipped with a complete wet end, an in-house laboratory, and supported by Valmet’s experts, the facility transforms ideas into validated solutions with measurable results.
Developing grades and processes
The pilot plant supports the development of new pulp grades, optimisation of existing processes, and simulation of rebuilds and conversions before moving to full-scale investments.
“We can run tests with different pulp grades, such as market pulp, dissolving pulp, and fluff,” says Timo Kari, Technology Engineer for Pulp Drying at Valmet. “It is also typical to study how different raw materials, softwood, hardwood, or carefully selected mixes, affect end-product properties, like tensile strength.” Timo added further.
“For the process improvements, we can for example measure different flows and pressure losses related to headbox functionality, or test variable nip loads and study dryness development in a controlled manner,” he adds.
A flexible pilot machine
The heart of the pulp drying plant is a flexible pilot machine, that allows multiple configurations and testing possibilities across the headbox, forming section, and press section.
The forming section includes all the concepts: fourdrinier, top former, and gap former. A movable headbox allows different wire table lengths. The press section is equally versatile with mill scale press roll diameters and multiple press configurations including two shoe presses, a long nip press, a combi press, and a lump breaker.
Confidence before commitment
The Pulp Drying Pilot Plant offers customers a safe testing environment without disturbing their own production or causing product losses.
The in-house laboratory and expert support provide fast and reliable results, giving customers immediate feedback and clear data throughout the development work.
“Here, customers can make decisions based on proven results instead of assumptions. Compared to lab-made pulp sheets, the pilot plant provides real-life product quality. It is easy to compare raw materials, and produce and analyse end products. These efforts have been the basis for many innovations and patented solutions,” Kari summarizes.
Whether the goal is higher quality, improved efficiency, or better runnability, we can develop the optimal solution together to move your performance forward.
This year, Valmet committed to reducing the climate impact of its technologies and supporting customers in achieving their own sustainability goals. As the next step in this long-term effort, Valmet has renewed its press roll cover family with new Bioneer solutions designed to further cut carbon emissions. Valmet’s Bioneer products provide a more sustainable alternative to conventional products by incorporating recycled, renewable or bio-based materials. Building on the successful launch of the Bioneer press felt last year, Valmet now expands the portfolio with a renewed range of press roll covers.
“For decades, we have focused on developing products that enhance the resource and energy efficiency of our customers’ processes – whether through a long lifetime, improved dewatering, or energy savings. At the same time, we always believed we could go further. That’s why we continued to pursue more sustainable material choices without compromising the excellent quality our customers rely on and are now ready to introduce the new Bioneer press roll cover family with reduced carbon footprint,” says Ulla Kanerva, Global Technology Manager, Roll Covers and Maintenance at Valmet.
The new Bioneer roll covers are designed for a wide range of press and suction roll applications on board, paper, tissue and pulp drying machines. The innovative roll covers incorporate recycled, renewable or biobased materials without compromising durability, wear resistance or dewatering performance.
Valmet’s Bioneer roll covers are accompanied by product-specific life cycle assessment (LCA), providing customers with transparent and credible climate impact data. For example, the new Valmet Press Roll Cover PF Bioneer offers up to 12.2% lower cradle-to-gate CO₂ emissions compared to traditional products.
About Valmet
Valmet is a global technology leader serving process industries. We work together with our customers throughout the entire lifecycle, delivering cutting-edge technologies and services as well as mission-critical automation and flow control solutions.
Backed by more than 225 years of industrial experience and a global team of 18,500 professionals close to customers; they are uniquely positioned to transform industries toward a regenerative tomorrow. In 2025, Valmet’s net sales totaled approximately EUR 5.2 billion. Their head office is in Espoo, Finland, and they have experts in approximately 40 countries around the world.
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