International top conference comes to Sundsvall – FSCN put fiber research in the spotlight

Held every two years, the conference is one of the most important meeting places in the field. Around 80 researchers and industry experts from across the globe gathered to discuss the latest advances in the physical properties of paper, board, and other fiber-based materials. 
In total, the event featured 41 oral presentations, 12 poster presentations, and a keynote lecture by Professor Thad C. Maloney from Aalto University in Finland. The conference was sponsored by Stora Enso. 
– We are proud to have been entrusted with organizing PPPS 2025 here in Sundsvall. It strengthens our position in fiber research and gives us a chance to showcase our work to colleagues from all over the world, says Stefan Lindström, professor at FSCN and chair of the organizing committee.

Research That Replaces Plastic

The conference focused on an area that is central to the green transition: understanding and improving the physical properties of cellulose-based materials. 
– A key goal is to develop fiber-based alternatives to plastic. For paper to replace plastic in more applications, it needs to be stronger, more water-resistant, and more formable. At the same time, the production process must become more resource-efficient – using less energy, water, wood, and chemicals, says Stefan Lindström. 
He also emphasizes the value of bringing experts together in one place. 
– The conference is a powerful networking platform. New collaborations and ideas are born here – especially in the informal discussions outside of the presentations. It’s also an important arena for young researchers to make connections, both in academia and with industry.

Keynote: "We Lose Much of the Fiber’s Potential"

The keynote lecture was delivered by Professor Thad C. Maloney, who leads the Biobased Materials Technology research group at Aalto University. In his talk, he demonstrated how much of the theoretical potential of cellulose fibers is currently lost due to structural changes during processing. 
– My research is about understanding and controlling fiber structure so that fibers can be used more efficiently in new types of products. It’s a way to extract more value from one of the world’s most important raw materials, says Thad C. Maloney. 
He sees PPPS as a key conference for the research community. 
– I attended this conference already as a PhD student, and it was where I built my network. It’s a small but strong global community where everyone knows each other. It’s fantastic that it continues to thrive – that shows how relevant the knowledge remains, even in a new industrial landscape. 
He also praised the host organization: 
– FSCN has a broad and well-balanced research portfolio and a strong team. I’m confident you will play a significant role in the future of fiber research.

Full House – and Engaged Audience

PPPS 2025 attracted strong participation, with engaging discussions following each presentation. Two individuals were voted by the audience based on four criteria and were awarded for their presentations. Best Presentation was awarded to Greta Kloppenburg, “Building a Digital Twin of the Paper Microstructure”, University of Wuppertal. 
 Best Young Presenter was awarded to Samuel Brown, “Edge Wicking in a Thin Deformable Material”, University of British Columbia. 
– One of the highlights of the conference was that every talk attracted a large audience and sparked discussion. Overall, it was a very positive atmosphere, says Stefan Lindström. 
He also points to the conference’s manageable size as a key strength:
– Because the conference is focused and relatively small, it creates a strong sense of relevance and meaning. Everyone here is truly engaged – and that makes a real difference.