Kemira and Metsä Group Develop Sustainable Textile Fiber: Kuura

Alternative to Synthetic Textiles New Wood-Based Fiber Kuura Aims to Tackle Cotton Gap and Microplastic Pollution

2025-05-20 Source: Kemira Oyj 1 min Reading Time

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In a bid to reshape the future of textiles, chemical company Kemira and Metsä Group have partnered to develop Kuura — a next-generation, wood-based fiber aiming to provide a sustainable, European-made alternative to conventional materials like polyester and cotton.

Kemira and Metsä Group join forces to commercialize the wood-based Kuura fiber.(Source: Kemira) — Kemira and Metsä Group join forces to commercialize the wood-based Kuura fiber.
(Source: Kemira)

Chemical company Kemira and Metsä Group have agreed to collaborate in the development of the new Kuura textile fibre. According to the partners, this fibre offers a fully integrated, cost-competitive and scalable, European-made alternative to other lyocell-type fibers currently available in the market.

Metsä Group is developing the new Kuura textile fibre and is currently investigating the potential for launching the Kuura business in an ongoing pre-engineering project. Kemira will contribute its chemistry and process expertise to enable process feasibility and scale up of the fiber production and integration into Metsä Group’s existing pulp production line.

Kuura is a type of Man-Made Cellulosic Fiber (MMCF), which offer a solution to many environmental issues present in the textile industry. Global demand for textile fibers is increasing rapidly, driven by population growth and changing consumer lifestyles. The most widely used fiber globally is polyester, which relies on fossil-based raw materials and contributes to microplastic pollution, raising significant sustainability concerns. On the other hand, the industry is facing a growing "cotton gap", a shortfall in cotton supply caused by limitations in land availability, water use, and environmental concerns. MMCFs, like Kuura, that are produced from responsibly sourced wood and designed for a low environmental footprint, can help bridge the cotton gap and provide a viable, circular alternative to fossil-based synthetics, the company claims.

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