Valmet introduces four new IQ measurements to enhance sustainable packaging

FINLAND – Finnish technology leader Valmet has expanded its IQ Quality Control System (QCS) portfolio by launching four innovative IQ measurements for the packaging and nonwoven industries.

These advancements are engineered to assess raw material composition, color, and ash content precisely, helping manufacturers improve raw material efficiency while maintaining high product quality.

Valmet’s new IQ Transmission Spectrum Measurement and IQ Reflection Spectrum Measurement are online, non-contact technologies designed for accurately determining the composition and weight of raw materials without the need for invasive or radioactive methods.

This allows manufacturers to optimize material usage, reduce production costs, and minimize environmental impact.

These measurements support applications in nonwoven production, extrusion coating, laminating, plastic film manufacturing, and paper and board production—key areas in the shift toward biobased materials and reducing plastic use.

“These new products bring laboratory-level accuracy to online measurements,” said Mikko Viitamäki, Valmet’s Quality Management Solutions and Automation Systems Business Manager.

“Our spectrometer measurements, for example, open new possibilities in assessing functional coatings like biobarriers, adhesives, and polymers.”

Valmet IQ’s spectrometers deliver detailed assessments, supporting consistent color uniformity and enabling the measurement of complex coatings crucial for sustainable packaging.

The IQ Color Measurement system utilizes advanced LED technology to provide precise reflectance spectrum data, which is particularly valuable for paper and board applications where color consistency is essential.

The system ensures stable colour across various paper grades by accurately detecting the effects of additives like dyes and brightening agents.

The IQ Total X-ray Measurement also offers comprehensive, non-nuclear ash content measurement for paper production, including glass content detection in fibreglass and basis weight assessment in nonwoven materials.

This technology enables real-time process control, reduces downtime, and limits waste generation.

Valmet’s IQ QCS integrates a scanner with online measurements, advanced controls, and applications that optimize production quality.

Since introducing its first QCS in the 1990s, Valmet has supported over 2,200 mills worldwide in sectors ranging from pulp and paper to nonwovens and paper conversion.

In line with its commitment to sustainability, Valmet recently secured a major contract with Anhui Linping Circular Development in China. The company will supply a high-speed board-making line equipped with Valmet’s OptiConcept M technology.

The new line, expected to commence operations in late 2025, will focus on producing recycled liner grades for packaging, emphasizing reduced water and energy consumption and reinforcing Anhui Linping’s environmental goals.

This latest innovation solidifies Valmet’s role in advancing eco-friendly packaging solutions and reinforces its ongoing investment in technologies that support sustainable industrial processes.

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