ExpandFibre

ExpandFibre is an R&D collaboration and an Ecosystem launched by Fortum and Metsä Group to accelerate the development of sustainable bioproducts. It focuses on upgrading pulp fibres, hemicellulose and lignin from renewable and sustainable sources of straw and northern wood into new bioproducts. Its ambition is to meet the growing demands for sustainable textile fibres and other added value biomaterials. ExpandFibre aims to develop ground-breaking technologies and smart business concepts that are required to convert straw and pulp fibres into novel bioproducts, such as textile fibres. The joint mission of Fortum and Metsä Group is to provide selected markets with high-volume bioproducts that have a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to currently available fossil-based products. Fortum and Metsä Group challenge other actors in the seven ExpandFibre themes to accelerate their efforts and together build a world-leading innovation ecosystem. Together we can enable new bioproducts and green businesses to reach commercial maturity. ExpandFibre Programmes: 50 M€ R&D entity launched and implemented by Fortum & Metsä Group and co-funded by Business Finland. In the Programmes, Fortum and Metsä work together and separately in various projects that can link with Ecosystem members and projects. ExpandFibre Ecosystem: The Ecosystem consists of organisations and projects that join in the ExpandFibre Mission and work with ExpandFibre themes. Ecosystem projects apply their own public funding from e.g. Business Finland, EU or other funding agencies.