PPWR is establishing harmonised packaging requirements across the European Union, accelerating the shift towards recyclable packaging. Fibre-based innovation is essential in translating these regulatory requirements into scalable solutions, such as Muoto™, which extends fibre into applications previously dominated by plastic.

Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, will showcase Muoto at its stand Hall 8a / Stand D49 at Interpack 2026, highlighting how fibre-based materials can be applied in new packaging concepts designed to meet demanding performance requirements.

Muoto is a three-dimensional moulded fibre technology, formed directly from wet wood pulp without intermediate converting steps. This enables lightweight yet rigid packaging with design freedom for complex shapes.  Muoto combines strength, rigidity and low weight, making it suitable for demanding food service and food packaging applications. The structure is designed to support grease and moisture resistant performance and food contact requirements across a wide range of food types.

Complementing paperboard with new fibre capabilities

Where higher barrier performance is required, Muoto's renewable moulded wood fibre structures can be combined with barrier film, supporting applications such as meat, fish, poultry and ready meals.

When combined with paperboard - through for example branded sleeves and corrugated shelf-ready packaging - Muoto enables integrated fibre-based packaging solutions that strengthen branding, shelf impact and functionality.

"Muoto is advancing fibre-based materials into more demanding applications. The current portfolio focuses on foodservice and selected industrial food packaging, and together with premium paperboard components it enables future fibre-based concepts across a wide range of end uses. We are now inviting customers to test Muoto Uncoated and Laminated Fibre solutions, such as takeaway packaging, punnets and trays," says Antti Valtonen, VP, Muoto projects at Metsä Group's innovation arm Metsä Spring.

Piloting, learning and co-developing future applications

Muoto is currently in a demo and pre-commercial sales phase, where customer and partner feedback helps refine performance, manufacturability and end-use fit. Metsä Board is actively engaging with brand owners and converters to explore new formats for future fibre-based packaging concepts.

"With Muoto, we are studying new concepts to support brand owners in creating future-ready packaging solutions," says Erja Hyrsky, SVP, Commercial Operations at Metsä Board.

"By combining moulded fibre with paperboard, Muoto can become one component in our packaging solutions - bringing added value especially in premium and demanding end uses where performance, branding and recyclability all matter, while helping customers prepare for increasingly stringent packaging regulation."
 

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