Metsä Fibre recently published an article outlining how the company ensures the purity and safety of its fresh fibre pulp, particularly for food-contact applications.
The piece details the company’s strict monitoring processes, which include hourly sampling, online analysis tools, microbial testing, and external laboratory checks. According to Technical Service Manager Thomas Fant, every mill has its own laboratory to ensure consistent oversight of pulp quality.
Metsä Fibre also highlighted the role of the FOX quality index, which tracks up to 20 key parameters and raises alarms if guideline values are exceeded. Since 2012, the company has used RFID tags to improve traceability, allowing customers to verify production batches.
The article further emphasizes risk management at critical points in production, supported by Metsä Fibre’s Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) system, as well as a strict “good housekeeping” approach based on the Japanese 5S methodology.
Fant notes that new technologies such as AI and evolving online analytics will play an increasing role in maintaining high safety standards as regulatory demands rise.
Metsä Fibre, part of Metsä Group, is a leading producer of bioproducts, biochemicals, bioenergy, and sawn timber, as well as a global market leader in softwood pulp. Headquartered in Espoo, Finland, the company operates modern bioproduct mills in Finland and employs about 1,600 people.
