R&D
Suominen’s vision is to be the leader in nonwovens innovation and sustainability. Sustainability is also one of the key themes in our R&D.
Suominen is a pioneer in producing sustainable nonwovens, and our versatile R&D team has excellent know-how in sustainable fibers. Our pilot lines at Nakkila and Windsor Locks sites support our innovation work by, for example, enabling testing of prototypes. By continuously developing new and innovative solutions with a reduced environmental impact, we are able to provide a comprehensive offering of sustainable nonwovens to our customers.
In addition to creating new sustainable products, we see the importance of evaluating and minimizing the environmental impacts of all our products. Providing carbon footprints for products is a rising trend due to ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets set by both societies and companies. We have calculated the carbon footprints of our products. This means that greenhouse gases associated with the product in different stages of its value chain are added up to gain a full understanding of the climate impact of each product.
Carbon footprint values provide a comparison between our products within a product portfolio, enabling our customers to find the most climate-friendly option for their applications. During the year, we developed and launched digital Suominen Climate App. The Climate App provides comparable data of our products so that our customers are able to choose a suitable product with lower greenhouse gas emissions. By offering products with lower environmental burden without compromising on quality, we are able to support our customers to reduce the environmental impact of their won products and to achieve their own sustainable goals.
Suominen's R&D in brief
Pioneer in sustainable products
- BIOLACE® sustainable product portfolio since 2007
- We invented the wetlaid spunlace category for flushable pispersible nonwovens – HYDRASPUN® product family
Strong R&D
- 16 R&D professionals
- Focus on sustainability and customization
- Excellent know-how in sustainable fibers
- New Fiber Center
- Pilot lines to support R&D and fast go-to-markets
Technology fit for sustainable nonwovens
- 8 plants - all capable of using sustainable raw materials
- 6 of them with pulp capability
- We are able to tailor-make our products according to customers' different definitions of sustainability
New Fiber Center
New Fiber Center aims to speed up Suominen’s fiber developing activities.
Product launches
New FIBRELLA® Strata delivers three layers of exceptional strength and softness
Suominen has harnessed its process know-how to create a premium nonwoven, FIBRELLA® Strata. FIBRELLA® Strata has a high-definition pattern and it delivers an exceptional combination of strength and softness.
Covering all cleaning needs – Extending GENESIS® Pro and GENESIS® portfolio
The GENESIS® cleaning activity product line is well known for its durability, fluid management and sustainable wood pulp content. With GENESIS® Pro, Suominen extends the attributes of GENESIS® products to the heavy duty cleaning needs of the workplace and industrial segments.
BIOLACE® Bamboo gives the perfect natural softness
Bamboo is a perennial grass that is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world. It can quickly regrow after harvest making it an ideal tree and plastic free alternative for other renewable raw materials. As a pioneer in sustainable nonwoven innovations, Suominen launches BIOLACE® Bamboo also in the Americas to answer the need of the market for more sustainable nonwovens.
R&D news
Getting creative with Suominen’s nonwovens - Collaboration with Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture
Suominen’s nonwovens are typically used in wipes, but if we let our imagination run wild, what else could the material be turned into? We found out when Suominen collaborated with Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture on an Experimental Design project with Master’s students in the Department of Design.
Suominen Green Lab starts its operations in Nakkila, Finland
Suominen has built its own compost test center in Nakkila, Finland. The test center has both industrial and home compost conditions, but the aim is to study biodegradability also wider in different environments.
HYDRASPUN® Aquaflo wins Innovation Award at IDEA®22 Conference
Suominen’s HYDRASPUN® Aquaflo product won the Nonwoven Product Achievement Award at the IDEA®22 Conference held in Miami on March 28–31, 2022.