Metso has opened a new, state-of-the-art separation laboratory and pilot area, bringing expanded research and development services for its customers.
The opening of the laboratory research centre in Pori, Finland, supports Metso’s strategy as a leading partner in developing advanced flotation and beneficiation solutions for the global minerals industry.
“Our new separation laboratory in Pori encompasses our latest flotation technologies for the beneficiation of fine and ultrafine but also coarse particles,” Metso vice president, flotation, Antti Rinne said.
“It has been expanded with a Concorde CellTM laboratory unit, that can be modularised for more complex test work and R&D, and auxiliary equipment for swifter sample preparation and processing. This will allow us to deliver high-quality test work faster and develop complete flowsheets for the flotation plants of tomorrow,” he said.
“With a fully integrated beneficiation and assays lab, we can handle a larger volume of testing while maintaining the highest standards.”
The latest development at the Pori Research Center is the new coarse particle flotation cell, which introduces a novel deep-froth pneumatic design that eliminates the need for fluidised beds. It is set for launch in 2026 following industrial-scale testing.
Metso Plus flotation technologies, such as the Concorde Cell and FloatForce+, were validated at Pori before their launch. Both are today referenced globally across a range of commodities.
The company said the FloatForce+ rotor-stator system for TankCell flotation cells is setting a new benchmark for flotation performance while retaining the qualities of its predecessor. The Concorde Cell is a high-intensity pneumatic flotation cell able to selectively float fines and ultrafines, which were previously unrecoverable.
The Metso research centre in Pori is one of Metso’s hubs for research and product development and is focused on mineral processing, hydrometallurgy, battery material process solutions and smelting technologies. With around 180 experts and extensive lab and pilot plant facilities, it provides unique testing capabilities for process development, equipment selection and optimisation. The centre also offers mineralogical and chemical analytical services, as well as materials research.
