Valmet Debuts Bioneer Press Roll Covers with Full Lifecycle Data, Targeting Pulp and Paper Industry's Carbon Footprint

In a significant move for sustainable manufacturing, Valmet has unveiled its Bioneer series of press roll covers, engineered to shift the pulp and paper industry away from fossil-based materials. The Finnish technology and automation giant states that the new covers incorporate recycled content, renewable, and other bio-based inputs in their production.

The launch is strategically timed as global paper producers face mounting pressure to decarbonize their operations. By integrating these alternative materials, Valmet aims to assist both its own and its clients' sustainability agendas, directly cutting the use of fossil resources in production lines worldwide.

A key differentiator for the Bioneer range is its accompanying product-specific lifecycle assessment (LCA) data—a first for press roll covers, according to the company. This transparency is designed to give paper and board producers a concrete, comparable measure of the climate impact associated with each product, moving beyond vague claims to verified numbers.

Valmet claims the Press Roll Cover PF Bioneer can achieve up to a 12.2% reduction in cradle-to-gate CO₂ emissions compared to conventional alternatives. This reduction is facilitated by using REDcert-certified renewable and recycled raw materials, applied through a mass balance approach.

"Transparent LCA data empowers our customers," said Sanna Junttonen, Valmet's Global Product Manager for Roll Covers and Maintenance. "It allows for direct comparison of climate impacts, supports informed decision-making, and provides tangible proof of progress toward climate targets."

Ulla Kanerva, Global Technology Manager for the same division, added, "The Bioneer series merges the high-performance technology our industry expects with independently verifiable climate impact data. It's a response to the market's demand for both efficiency and accountability."

The product introduction follows a series of substantial orders in Valmet's paper business last year, underscoring the sector's ongoing modernization drive. In November 2025, Valmet was selected to modernize a paper machine and deliver two winders for Wuzhou Special Paper's facility in Hubei, China, with startup slated for early 2027. The project focuses on converting a relocated machine to produce recycled fluting and liner, extending the equipment's life and boosting output.

Earlier, in August 2025, Valmet secured an order to supply an advanced automation system to Klingele Paper & Packaging's mill in Weener, Germany, aimed at enhancing the site's resource efficiency.

Industry Voices

Lars Johansson, Sustainability Officer at a Nordic paper mill: "This is precisely the kind of innovation we need. The LCA data is a game-changer; it turns sustainability from a marketing term into a measurable KPI for our procurement teams."

Maria Chen, Process Engineer with 15 years in the industry: "The performance parity claim is crucial. Many 'green' alternatives compromise on durability or efficiency. If Valmet's data holds up in real-world mills, adoption could be rapid."

David Kline, Industry Analyst & Critic: "Let's not get carried away. A 12% reduction in cradle-to-gate emissions is a modest step, not a leap. The pulp and paper industry is one of the world's largest energy consumers. This feels like 'green-washing' a core component while the overall process remains massively carbon-intensive. Where's the radical overhaul?"

Anya Petrova, Supply Chain Director for a packaging conglomerate: "The pressure from our end-consumers for sustainable packaging is relentless. Having suppliers like Valmet provide hard data for components like roll covers helps us build a verifiable green story for our final products. It's a vital link in the chain."

This report is based on an original publication by Packaging Gateway.

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