Muoto products are manufactured at Metsä Spring's and Valmet's joint demo plant in Äänekoski, Finland, and in November, we had the products for trial use by Valmet's personnel at the Jyväskylä office. In the test, carried out in cooperation with Compass Group, Muoto products were used in three Food & Co restaurants for a month-long trial. Uncoated Fibre disposable plates were tested during breakfast and lunch services, along with Laminated Fibre trays used for pre-packaged meals.
"During the pilot use, we collected consumer feedback, and Muoto products were considered to be of high quality in many ways. The multi-layer structure enabled by the new technology gave the products sturdiness, and the thermal insulation capacity and grease resistance also performed well. The closure of the plastic lid included in the test was also considered to be well-functioning – the laminated trays were sealed with Amcor's lid film on a tray sealing machine," says Tarja Heikkilä, Product Manager at Metsä Spring.
In the pilot, customer feedback about Muoto products highlighted recyclability, premium feel, and excellent functionality.
Muoto impressed with its appearance, functionality, and recyclability
Salla Aalto, Marketing Manager at Valmet, describes the pilot as affirmative. "The pilot was very well received in Jyväskylä. Muoto products are manufactured using Valmet 3D Fiber technology at a joint demo plant, so there was great interest in trying out new products. The feedback was very positive."
Compass Group customers viewed recyclability and responsibility as product benefits. "The tableware was very successful in terms of design. We received a lot of feedback from customers about the appearance, sturdiness and ease of use. The trays that were closed with a lid were very neat and easy to use. The dishes worked excellently as a porridge plate and did not allow liquid to pass through. The feedback we received was very positive, and Muoto products sparked great interest and discussion with customers," sums up Satu Liimatainen, Restaurant Manager at Compass Group.
Customer feedback is driving Muoto forward
Feedback was gathered from the pilot customers through an online questionnaire. Respondents praised especially the products’ sturdiness and their premium feel. Recyclability received nearly full marks, and the overall average score of the survey was 4.6/5. The sizes were considered ideal, and the products worked well for everyday meals. Suggestions focused on improving grease resistance, offering more formats like cups, and considering eco-friendly lid options.
Overall, Muoto was seen as a high-quality, sustainable alternative to disposable plates. For the Muoto team, the pilot provided valuable insights for refining product features and expanding the range to meet customer needs and expectations.