Wednesday, February 18, 2026
At Äänekoski, they are now testing how lignin from pulp production could be used in higher-value applications instead of mainly being burned for energy. A demo plant for their new lignin product, Metsä LigO™, has now started up at the bioproduct mill.
Together with ANDRITZ, they are validating the production process, product performance, and suitability for industrial-scale production. The demo phase allows them to assess whether the technology works reliably beyond the lab.
One of the main application areas under development is construction. In collaboration with Dow, lignin from the demo plant is being used to develop biobased plasticisers for concrete and plaster. The aim is to reduce the use of fossil-based chemicals in these applications.
The lignin demo plant is part of the wider Äänekoski bioproduct mill ecosystem, which already utilises several side streams. Each initiative supports their goal of creating highervalue, fossilfree products from renewable Nordic wood.
About Metsä LigO™
Lignin is a natural biopolymer which can be found in the cell walls of plants. In pulp production, lignin is separated from the wood into black liquor in the chemical cycle and used as bioenergy. Lignin could also be used in chemical and material applications to replace fossil based components.
Metsä LigO™ lignin product family under development by Metsä Fibre is refined from pulp production side streams. Potential end-uses for lignin products include, for example, concrete plasticisers and other dispersants.
Lignin demo plant to Äänekoski
Metsä Fibre and Andritz are building a demo plant for lignin refining in connection with the Äänekoski bioproduct mill. The demo plant is scheduled to be completed in late 2025. The plant’s daily capacity will be two tonnes of the lignin product.
Metsä Group, a Finnish forest industry group that operates in international markets. They use the best renewable raw material in the world – northern wood – responsibly and efficiently.
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Tags: bioenergy, bioproduct mill, fossil-based material, Metsä, pulp production, sustainability, wood, wood application, wood component
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