The next generation production line in Valkeakoski is now open for business
Walki’s new production line in Valkeakoski stands ready. The state-of-the-art production line answers to the increasing demand for fibre-based packaging and flame-retardant construction materials.
Walki has answered to the growing demand for sustainable packaging by making one of its most sizable investments in its history. Now, the MEUR 13 investment to build the most modern production line in the world in the Valkeakoski plant, has been officially inaugurated with a festive ceremony, bringing together customers, investors, and other stakeholders from various parts of the world.
For Plant Director Janne Ahonen and Technical Service & Development Engineer Heikki Viitanen, the inauguration marks the end of a huge project. The production line has been designed in-house and built on premises to ensure that every single detail is optimised.
“This production line breaks the record on almost every possible parameter: its sheer size, the design, efficiency, degree of automation and capacity. This really is a completely different deal compared to what we have done previously”, says Ahonen.
A novel coating technology – a combination of dispersion and impregnation technology –gives Walki enhanced capabilities to make strong barriers to fibre-based packaging and innovative flame-retardant facings to buildings.
“Dispersion is currently used to give barrier properties to fibre-based packaging, but the possibilities for the technology are vast. We may see completely new innovations that will replace aluminum and other materials in all business and product segments.” says Viitanen.
The fact that Walki has state of the art facilities nearby will make it easier – and faster – to test new ideas.
Forerunners collaborating
Michelangelo Anderlini, Managing Director and co-founder for Italy-based BIOPAP®, flew to Finland to participate in the festivities. Michelangelo Anderlini is a long-standing customer of Walki’s. The company is family owned and has been a forerunner when it comes to sustainable food packaging. Some 15 years, BIOPAP® found dispersion technology to be an excellent way to bring good barrier properties.
“At that the time it was quite a unique way to get better barrier products to fibre-based packaging”, he says.
Ever since then, BIOPAP® has had a close relationship with Plastiroll, now part of Walki since the acquisition in 2019. He was eager to see the production line.
“We have both been forerunners, and the possibility to interact and exchange information has been very important, especially when it comes to developing completely new applications”, says Michelangelo Anderlini, adding that another important reason for making the trip from Italy to Finland was seeing the Walki team in person after a long period of online interaction due the pandemic.
Flame-retardant facings for the construction industry
The production line will also cater to customers in the construction business, where the demands on recyclability and innovation are growing. The industry is also under pressure from tighter regulation to enhance flame-retardant building materials.
“By applying a flame-retardant substance to insulation facings, we can help our customers reach the best fire-classes”, explains Heikki Viitanen.
The new production line has been a true team effort involving not only Walki employees but also a wide range of suppliers, as well as the support from customers.
Janne Ahonen says that the cooperation has been extremely smooth. This is also visible in the safety statistics of the project.
“We did not have a single absence due to an accident. At most we had 60 external people working on the site, and we are extremely pleased at how these people took our safety measurements very seriously.”
Walki received financing from Business Finland’s circular economy funding for this investment.