Kemira Partners with Metsä Group to Develop Sustainable Kuura Textile Fibre
Kemira and Metsä Group have joined forces to advance the development of Kuura, a sustainable, European-made lyocell-type textile fibre. Kuura is being developed as a cost-effective and scalable alternative to existing man-made cellulosic fibers (MMCFs), addressing environmental challenges in the textile value chain.
Metsä Group is currently conducting a pre-engineering project to assess the feasibility of launching Kuura commercially. Kemira’s role focuses on enhancing process feasibility and integrating fibre production into Metsä’s existing pulp operations, leveraging its long-standing expertise in cellulosic fibre chemistry.
“We’re proud to support Metsä Group in developing Kuura, which represents a major step toward a more circular and sustainable textile industry,” said Riikka Timonen, VP at Kemira.
Niklas von Weymarn, CEO of Metsä Spring, added, “Kemira’s deep knowledge in process chemistry is vital for the development of our fibre production method.”
With global fibre demand rising and increasing pressure to reduce reliance on fossil-based synthetics like polyester, Kuura offers a renewable and biodegradable solution to help bridge the growing “cotton gap”—a shortfall in cotton supply due to environmental constraints. Produced from responsibly sourced wood, Kuura stands out for its low environmental footprint and circular design.
