"When presented to me eleven years ago, I thought that the idea to found a research and development company should be viable," says Carl Kempe, Chairman of the MoRe Research board of directors, in this interview. "The development has proven that my gut feeling was correct."
In 1999, MoDo and SCA merged their fine paper divisions to the fine paper company Modo Paper. Modo Paper was to be listed on the stock exchange, and MoDo even changed its name to Holmen in order not to have two MoDo companies on the stock exchange. But like this spring, when the best alternative for Domsjö's owners was to sell the company to Aditya Birla, Metsä Serla in 2000 made an offer on Modo Paper which the owners Holmen and SCA were not able to resist. In that turbulence it was not entirely clear what would happen to MoDo's R&D.
"MoDo's R&D was not just important to me, it was also a part of the company's soul," says Carl Kempe. "The R&D buildings contained advanced equipment as well as a lot of competence, especially as regards how research and development in close cooperation with mills can be carried out efficiently."
"A research company cannot be established from scratch, but here we had all the requirements for the creation of an independent research and development company so I was convinced that this was a feasible idea."
"I saw several reasons for the Kempe Foundation to be involved as part owner of MoRe and I accepted to be appointed chairman. It was and is important to have a big and independent owner as the Kempe Foundation in order to show that MoRe is an independent company, in which the customers trust. The Kempe Foundation has a regional task and by influencing development in Örnsköldsvik we contribute to a positive regional development, proven by the biorefinery cluster development in Örnsköldsvik and the region."
"MoRe started with flying colours and was quickly established on the market as an independent R&D company," says Carl Kempe. "Soon after the start we invested in a unique pilot digester which meant that MoRe has a full range of pulp pilot equipment with the right size. And when M-real closed its Technology Center in Örnsköldsvik, MoRe employed some of their staff and took over their paper pilot equipment, e.g. the experimental paper machine. This meant that we have a full set of pilot equipment from chipping to coated paper."
"During the next five years the goal for MoRe is to increase its turnover by 50 %. We have a good order book which means that we will employ more staff. Pulp and Paper research and development will be important also in the future and MoRe has a unique position regarding pilot equipment and experience. We also work with biorefinery issues, for which we have competence as well as unique technical possibilities, especially as regards to dissolving."
"MoRe has a good position as a competent development partner for both big and small paper and pulp companies as well as those who develop within the biorefinery area," says Carl Kempe.