VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland

SteamDry pilot tests fibre materials from Ahlstrom, Metsä and Smurfit Westrock

The SteamDry project has started pilot-scale trials of superheated steam drying on VTT's rebuilt SAMPO fibre-web line in Jyväskylä, Finland, which became fully operational in early May 2026. Ahlstrom was the first consortium manufacturer to test its own nonwoven materials, followed by campaigns with materials from Metsä Group and Smurfit Westrock. Trials with Sappi and Sofidel are planned next.

Why this mattersReplacing hot-air drying is an energy lever for paper and board mills; campaigns with Metsä and Smurfit Westrock materials test whether the process holds across fibre-based grades.

• VTT's SAMPO pilot line became fully operational with superheated steam drying in early May 2026
• The rebuild added two sequential superheated steam drying hoods with electrically powered superheaters
• The pilot has a 620 mm web width and a target speed range of 20-200 m/min
• Ahlstrom was the first consortium manufacturer to test its own nonwoven materials on the line
• Later campaigns tested materials from Metsä Group and Smurfit Westrock; Sappi and Sofidel trials are planned
• Life cycle, techno-economic and social-impact assessment is led by the University of Santiago de Compostela