Megatrex is an active partner in SUPER project

Megatrex is currently participating in a cutting-edge research project focusing on the interaction between cellulose fibers and water. VTT and Aalto University are leading the project, which is financially supported by Business Finland. The goal of this broad -based partnership, designated the SUPER Co-innovation Joint Project, is to utilize new scientific knowledge for a wide range of practical applications – ultimately strengthening the global competitiveness of Finnish industry.

Megatrex is represented in the project by Dr. Elias Retulainen. He outlines the central focus of the research as follows: 

“Water is a key element in pulp and paper processing, and not only as a carrier medium. Water penetrates cellulosic fibers, swells and opens up their structure. Although having a weakening effect, that allows the newly opened structure to be modified and rearranged.”

“We’re really dealing with fundamental scientific issues when investigating what occurs when water molecules penetrate the fiber wall and break hydrogen bonds that bind the structure. This swells the structure of the fiber wall, making it softer and weaker, but at the same time more conformable and accessible to chemicals,” explains Dr. Retulainen.

New types of fibers 

The SUPER project has multiple aims, including finding new solutions for bonding fibers together, tailoring pulp fibers for new bioproducts, and developing porous cellulose-based materials for applications like water purification, moisture resistant textile fibers and non-woven fabrics. 

“We’re trying to modify the properties and structure of the fiber – not just mechanically or with water, but also through chemical and enzymatic processing. The fiber can even be broken down into individual fibrils, as in the case of micro- and nanocellulose. In addition to experimental research, the project utilizes in-depth, molecular-level modeling,” states Dr. Retulainen.

Roughly speaking, the division of labor can be described like this: Aalto University and VTT are responsible for the two-year main project, which builds on the earlier FinnCERES Flagship program funded by the Research Council of Finland. SUPER project companies have parallel research projects of their own. These company-specific projects aim to translate the shared scientific findings into tailored applications that support their individual goals.

Versatile Atrex

Megatrex’ Atrex is a unique device for mechanical treatment of materials. It is already widely used in the pulp and paper industry. The parallel project of Megatrex will produce experimental data that will ultimately enable the development of a new generation of Atrex equipment particularly well-suited to processing cellulosic fiber material. 

“Mechanical processing is the key here.  The treatment effect of Atrex can be tailored by using enzymes and chemicals to give new properties to the fiber material,” says Dr. Retulainen. “Atrex is a rather versatile machine. It is an efficient piece of equipment for mixing, softening, and grinding of materials, and it can be used over a wide range of viscosities and temperatures.”

“Atrex’s operating range extends from zero to 100 percent dry matter content. By increasing the treatment consistency Atrex enables significant savings in both water and energy consumption by reducing the volume of water recirculated and evaporated in the process.” 

New opportunities 

The aim of the Megatrex SUPER project is to understand how Atrex affects fibers when it processes them. In addition to experimental test runs and their analysis, computational methods and flow dynamic modeling are also utilized. 

“We’re also interested in new raw materials. In addition to wood fibers, non-wood fibers like agricultural fibers and sugarcane bagasse are of particular interest. With wood already being widely used in Finland and around the world – and cellulose-based materials even in short supply in some areas – non-wood fibers might offer new opportunities for Megatrex.” 

Megatrex’s own parallel project is well underway. The three-year Super-Megatrex project will continue well into 2027. 

The project represents a significant financial investment for Megatrex, but it also presents a unique opportunity to utilize cutting-edge scientific insights to generate new knowledge.  At the same time, it fosters collaboration with other companies – such as raw material producers, end-product manufacturers and suppliers of enzymes and chemicals.  

Based on the information gained in the project, a new generation of Atrex devices and its peripherals will be designed. 

“The key is to first understand how the machine currently operates and processes cellulosic fibers. The process involves high rotational speeds – and intense impact and shear forces. By better understanding these dynamics, we can more accurately steer the fiber processing mechanisms towards the desired outcomes with the new Super-Atrex,” Dr. Retulainen concludes.

Let’s work together!

Want to learn more? Follow the SUPER Project on LinkedIn.