Metsä Spring, the innovation arm of Metsä Group (Finland), has revealed promising results from the life cycle assessment (LCA) of its Kuura textile fiber, indicating that its large-scale production could significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to existing commercial fibers. Produced from softwood pulp, Kuura shows a strong environmental advantage over fibers such as viscose, cotton, and lyocell.
The LCA study, conducted by Etteplan and reviewed by RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, evaluated the environmental impact of a potential first commercial-scale mill producing Kuura. The findings revealed that Kuura’s global warming potential (GWP100, fossil) score is less than one-third of that of viscose, a common man-made fiber, one-quarter of that of cotton, and over 80% lower than lyocell.
Kuura’s production process is currently being developed at a greenfield demo plant in Äänekoski, Finland, which has a nominal capacity of approximately 1 tonne per day. A key factor contributing to Kuura’s low environmental impact is that, on an industrial scale, it would be produced at Metsä Group’s existing pulp-processing mill, which operates without fossil energy and generates excess renewable energy. This energy could power Kuura’s production, further enhancing its sustainability.
Unlike other cellulosic fibers such as viscose and lyocell, which use dissolving pulp as a raw material, Kuura is produced from softwood Kraft pulp, sourced from forests near the mills. This close proximity to raw materials reduces transportation emissions, further supporting the fiber’s low environmental footprint.
Kuura is poised to be spun into yarns for knitted and woven fabrics, with applications in nonwoven fabrics and potentially in composite structures, where other man-made fibers like viscose are already used. This versatility positions Kuura as a competitive option across various industries, including textiles and composites.
The fiber has also garnered recognition in sustainability circles. Kuura has been awarded the “Green Shirt” rating in the Hot Button Ranking evaluation by the Canadian environmental organization Canopy for four consecutive years, acknowledging its risk-free, transparent supply chain and traceable raw materials.
Metsä Group’s continued development of Kuura reflects the company’s commitment to reducing the environmental impact of textiles and contributing to climate change mitigation, while offering a competitive alternative to conventional fibers in the market.
