Timber Performance Analysis in practice
According to Metsä Fibre’s Development Director Kaija Viljakainen, an example of a starting point for a TPA project could be a customer approaching Metsä Fibre to discuss rejects or waste on their production line.
“The first step is a pre-study to identify what kind of data the customer collects and how it could be used to solve the problem,” she says. “If there is potential for collaboration within a formal project framework, our technical experts will visit the customer site to observe how their process works, and customers visit the sawmill where their sawn timber products are made to learn more about the process.
In the next phase, Metsä Fibre and the customer agree on the product to be tested and the number of production batches to include as test loads. Regular meetings are held throughout the project to discuss progress. Once the test runs are complete and the data is analysed, the two parties sit down to see what insights can be gained and to agree on the next steps.
The typical length of a TPA project is around six months from project kick-off to presentation of the final report.
Comprehensive overview by combining data sources
TPA projects utilise data collected during the sorting stage at sawmills using camera vision technology combined with kiln drying data. The parameters measured include moisture content, thickness, width, shape and cracks.
In addition to technical quality data, sorting quality data based on factors such as knots, growth rings and resin pockets is also used. The ability to combine data sources helps the project participants to form a more comprehensive overview of the situation.
A shared interest in continuous improvement
“With a TPA project, Metsä Fibre and the customer have a common goal and a shared interest in continuous improvement, and we can work together in a formalised way to achieve our aims. While production data is at the core of these projects, regular communication and open dialogue are equally important,” says Victoria Eklund, Technical Customer Service Manager at Metsä Fibre.
“The model is developing all the time. TPA helps us to further strengthen customer relationships, deepen our understanding of each other’s processes, and make better, data-driven decisions.”
This article was originally published in Fibre Magazine issue 2025.