Our Fossil Free series takes us to Järvenpää, where Development Engineer Ainu Voipio is leading the expansion of Fiberwood’s laboratory capabilities.
The next phase of laboratory development was entrusted to Development Engineer Ainu Voipio, who began her role at the Järvenpää production facility in autumn 2025, working at the heart of product and process development.
Fiberwood’s raw materials, technologies and ambitions aligned seamlessly with Ainu’s previous experience. Foam technology was already familiar to her from her work as a laboratory analyst at Paptic, a manufacturer of bio-based packaging materials. She also explored the potential of bio-based raw materials in her master’s thesis for the Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE), where she examined how lake reed can be used to produce insulation materials through extrusion and foam processes.
“During my time at Paptic, I worked with laboratory management, method development and data handling, as well as product development and analysing raw material suppliers. I also became familiar with the requirements of insulation materials during my period at LUKE. This role felt like it had been made for me,” Ainu says.
Laboratory at the Core of Product Development and Testing
Developing the laboratory involves acquiring and commissioning equipment, validating and harmonising methods, and establishing robust data management practices. This brings research and testing closer to Fiberwood’s day-to-day operations, accelerating development and reducing reliance on external services.
Product development and quality system design will also be part of Ainu’s responsibilities. Fiberwood is involved in EU Horizon-funded projects, including SUSPENSE, which focuses on developing bio-based adhesives and binders.
“Bio-based binders can be made, for example, from agricultural side streams, or they may be lignin-based binders derived from the forest industry,” Ainu explains.
One of the key laboratory tools is a small-scale process unit, which Ainu will use to evaluate, among other things, the performance of additives before they are scaled up to the pilot scale and, ultimately, to the demo machine.
“We always start small: first, we need to see whether an additive works with the foam and whether the cake holds together. Only then does it make sense to scale up,” she says.
Material Innovation for Smarter Use of Resources
Ainu sees a promising future for Fiberwood: the company has a clear strategy, well-researched markets, and a strong focus on products that are both ecological and economically competitive. Her diverse academic background in applied physics, laboratory analytics, and biomass processing aligns naturally with Fiberwood’s technology.
“In acoustic products and in measuring the thermal conductivity of insulation materials, I get to make use of my physics expertise. At the same time, my laboratory background and experience in foam and fibre development fit perfectly into this role,” Ainu says.
She appreciates that the work is directly connected to solutions with real climate relevance. At Fiberwood, she sees an opportunity to influence the materials that will shape the future of construction. Developing new materials and making smarter use of wood-based resources are key priorities for her.
“Side streams from pulp mills and other wood materials should be used to produce as many valuable products as possible before they end up as energy. Other raw materials beyond wood should also be explored and utilised more widely,” she says, citing lake reed as an example of an abundant and potentially valuable fibre source.
A Culture Where Development Is a Shared Effort
The openness of Fiberwood’s people and their positive attitude toward change have made a strong impression on Ainu. New laboratory practices, data management methods, and tools have been readily embraced by the team.
“There’s no need to fight for improvements here. People genuinely want to develop the way we work,” she says.
Clear and traceable data management is particularly important to her.
“My aim is to create a data management system that makes everyone’s work easier. When someone asks a year from now what we did today, the information should be right there,” Ainu notes.
Material development is long-term work that rewards persistence and systematic testing.
“When several binders in a row don’t show much promise and then suddenly one does – that’s the best moment.”
Ainu’s interest in materials began early, and now she has the opportunity to build the laboratory environment and material solutions that will support Fiberwood’s growth and the development of next-generation products. Her work is guided by curiosity, openness, and a genuine desire to experiment.
“I look forward to testing more unusual raw materials, such as straw. I enjoy finding the right balance between hands-on work with fibres in the lab and stepping back to analyse results and design the next round of experiments,” she says.
