Finnish fibre textile company Spinnova and Brazil’s Suzano have postponed the pre-engineering stage phase for their new wood-based fibre facility beyond the previously anticipated timeline of late 2024.
In March this year, the two companies formalised their intentions through a Letter of Intent (LOI) for a new manufacturing site focused on producing wood-based Spinnova fibre.
The initiation of the pre-engineering phase for the planned 20,000 tonnes (t) facility was originally slated for the latter half of 2024.
The companies noted that advancements have been made in the technology development for fibre-spinning, particularly in enhancing the output from fibre drying units and validating key sub-processes.
However, the overall validation of process efficiency metrics at the Woodspin factory, encompassing the entire operation from pulp to fibre, will not be achieved within 2024.
In response to this setback, Spinnova and Suzano will explore alternative strategies to expedite the validation of end-to-end process efficiency metrics, which are crucial for progressing to subsequent project phases.
Under the current arrangement, Suzano is tasked with developing Microfibrillated Cellulose (MFC), while Spinnova focuses on fibre-spinning development. They will provide a revised timeline for the next wood-based fibre factory later.
As per the LOI, transitioning to the pre-engineering phase is contingent upon Spinnova delivering a Process Design Package (PDP) for the new facility and obtaining strategic approval from Suzano.
Additionally, specific process and fibre metrics at the Woodspin facility must be met. The PDP has been prepared in alignment with LOI requirements, and fibre quality has been verified as meeting established targets.
This quality confirmation has come from designated brand and supplier partners, along with results from a yarn spinning test conducted in November 2024, which demonstrated that Spinnova fibre can be spun using industrial processes at current blend levels while achieving necessary yield rates.
Concurrently, Spinnova is working to enhance its pilot capacity to showcase the complete process from pulp to fibre using various cellulosic feedstocks. This initiative aligns with its plans to explore new raw materials aimed at promoting technology sales for fibre production beyond wood sources.
The new plant will be located near an existing pulp mill of Suzano, who will be the owner and operator of the facility.
Despite the delay, Spinnova kept its 2024 financial outlook and strategic objectives unchanged.
In May last year, Spinnova and its strategic partner Suzano opened their first commercial-scale facility, which can produce 1,000t of sustainable, recyclable and fully biodegradable textile fibre from responsibly-grown wood each year.