Valmet launches a press felt with a lower carbon footprint


Valmet is pioneering bio-based raw materials in paper machine clothing by introducing its first press felt with a lower carbon footprint. In Valmet Press Felt EMX M Bioneer, part of the fossil raw material is replaced by bio-based alternatives using the mass balance approach.

“We have been working to reduce our products’ climate impact for years. In addition to improving material efficiency and developing recycling practices for used paper machine clothing, we have spent hundreds of hours searching for the possibilities to use bio-based or recycled materials in our production. As a result, we are now launching Valmet Press Felt EMX M Bioneer – a great achievement for our team,” says Katriina Markkula, R&D Manager, Paper Machine Clothing, Services, Valmet.

Valmet Press Felt EMX M Bioneer has precisely the same characteristics as the traditional Valmet Press Felt EMX M. It is a stable performer with excellent water handling capacity and a long lifetime.

“Press felts are exposed to extreme conditions in pulp, board, paper, and tissue production, and our priority is to offer high-performing products with a long lifetime. The mass balance approach enables the use of bio-based raw materials without compromising product quality. We look forward to delivering press felts that fulfill our customers’ expectations while improving their climate performance,” says Leena Silakoski, Senior Manager, Press Felts and Belts, Services, Valmet.

Valmet received the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS for its paper machine clothing production unit in Tampere, Finland, in November 2024. Obtaining the ISCC PLUS certification enables applying bio-based raw materials in paper machine clothing using the mass balance approach.

Photo: Valmet