Design driven world of cellulose-from bulk to luxury?

Tekes-the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation has granted funding 4,5 million funding for a project targeting on new approaches for use of wood-based cellulose. Project "Design Driven Value Chains in The World of Cellulose" (DWoC) launched by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Aalto University and Tampere University of Technology integrates design and design processes into the strategic development of businesses operating in the field. The aim is to create a business ecosystem to serve both existing industry and a new, growing cellulose-based industry, and to brand Finland as a producer of refined, cellulose-based products. This manuscript summarises the future visions and bakcground aspects and facts that have led to the initiation of the project. The presentation based on the manuscript also presents some of the first demontrator processes and products developed during the first operational year of the project. These demostrators include: Fibre yarn process that produces yarn from cellulose pulp fibres without traditional spinning process using novel wet extrusion technique (figure on right). Foam forming method for manufacturing well-formed foamed stuctures for new product applications 3D-printing technology enabling customisable on demand production of fibre structures and components using modified cellulosic raw materials.