UPM Pulp and ANDRITZ have signed a multi-year strategic cooperation agreement aimed at helping tissue manufacturers accelerate product development, optimize fibre utilization and reduce the risks associated with introducing new production technologies.

The partnership combines UPM’s expertise in pulp and fibre development with ANDRITZ’s tissue process engineering capabilities, providing tissue producers with access to pilot-scale trials before implementing changes on commercial production lines.

As tissue manufacturers continue to improve product quality, production efficiency and raw material utilization, pilot-scale validation is becoming an increasingly valuable step in reducing technical and investment risks.

Pilot Trials Support Faster Commercial Development

Under the agreement, tissue producers will have access to development programs at ANDRITZ’s PrimeLineTIAC Tissue Innovation and Application Center in Graz, Austria.

The facility enables manufacturers to evaluate fibre characteristics, optimize production parameters and validate new tissue concepts under controlled operating conditions before introducing them into full-scale manufacturing.

Unlike production trials conducted on operating tissue machines, pilot-scale testing allows manufacturers to assess new fibre blends, process configurations and product designs while minimizing production interruptions and operational costs.

The collaboration is expected to support the faster commercialization of new tissue products while improving manufacturing efficiency across different production technologies.

Combining Fibre Expertise with Process Engineering

The agreement brings together two complementary areas of technical expertise.

UPM contributes its experience in hardwood pulp development and fibre performance, while ANDRITZ provides expertise in tissue production equipment, process optimization and pilot-scale engineering.

As part of the cooperation, UPM Euca hardwood pulp will become the standard fibre used in customer and internal development trials conducted at the PrimeLineTIAC facility.

Customers participating in development programs will work directly with technical specialists from both companies to optimize fibre selection, production processes and finished tissue performance based on their individual manufacturing requirements.

Supporting Multiple Tissue Manufacturing Technologies

The PrimeLineTIAC pilot facility supports several commercial tissue manufacturing processes, including conventional dry-crepe tissue production, textured tissue and Through-Air-Drying (TAD) technology.

This allows tissue producers to evaluate fibre performance across different manufacturing platforms while identifying opportunities to improve softness, strength, absorbency, bulk and production efficiency.

As consumer expectations continue to evolve, tissue manufacturers are increasingly balancing product performance with fibre optimization, energy efficiency and sustainable production practices.

Industry Focus Shifts Toward Collaborative Innovation

The partnership reflects a broader trend within the global tissue industry, where collaboration between pulp suppliers, equipment manufacturers and tissue producers is becoming increasingly important for accelerating innovation.

Rather than developing new products independently, companies are using shared research facilities and pilot plants to shorten development cycles, validate manufacturing performance and reduce the financial risks associated with commercial implementation.

For tissue manufacturers, access to integrated fibre and process expertise can support faster product development while improving confidence before investing in production changes.

Pilot Facilities Gain Strategic Importance

As tissue production becomes more technically demanding, pilot-scale innovation centers are emerging as strategic assets for the industry.

They enable manufacturers to test raw materials, optimize machine settings and evaluate new production concepts without disrupting commercial operations, helping accelerate technology adoption while improving investment decisions.

The cooperation between UPM Pulp and ANDRITZ illustrates how closer integration between fibre suppliers and technology providers is supporting the next generation of tissue manufacturing through data-driven product development, process optimization and collaborative innovation.

Last Updated on 30/06/2026 by Jota Machinery