Personal profile
Short bio
I am working on several different projects focusing on technology development for the forest products industry. The main goal of my research work at VTT is to develop innovative solutions for improving the competitiveness of the forest products industry and sustainability for the world.
I have developed novel methods for high-throughput processing of nanocellulose-based suspensions into coatings and films for various applications ranging from sustainable packaging to flexible electronics. I have been recognized for outstanding performance in project management and developing innovative solutions for the customers.
Research interests
Bio-based materials, coatings, surface engineering, packaging, nanocellulose, paper, paperboard, functionalization
Expertise area
Paper production and processing, coating, converting, packaging, nanocellulose production and processing, nanocellulose films and coatings
Education/Academic qualification
Manufacturing and processing, Doctorate, Roll to roll processing of nanocellulose into coatings, Åbo Akademi University
2012 → 2017
Award Date: 15 Mar 2018
Manufacturing and processing, Master, Short time water absorption into multilayer curtain coated linerboard, Åbo Akademi University
2010 → 2012
Award Date: 15 Apr 2012
Manufacturing and processing, Bachelor, Design of chemical recovery plant for an integrated pulp and paper mill, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee
2006 → 2010
Award Date: 30 Jun 2010
External positions
Åbo Akademi University, Åbo Akademi University
Skills and expertise
- Paper processing
- Coatings
- Nanocellulose
- Packaging
- project management
- Surface engineering
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 15 Life on Land
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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HYGRON_R2B: High Performance Membranes for Enthalpy Exchange
Kumar, V. (Manager), Jaiswal, A. (Participant), Koppolu, R. (Participant), Hellen, E. (Participant), Ihonen, J. (Participant) & Salmela, H. (Participant)
1/06/25 → 30/11/26
Project: Business Finland project
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COCOBIN: Coatings and Composites from Novel Biobased Dispersions
Koppolu, R. (Manager), Kumar, V. (Owner), Anghelescu-Hakala, A. (Participant), Hämäläinen, R. (Participant), Auvinen, H. (Participant), Ghimire, H. (Participant), Nissinen, E. (Participant), Borrega, M. (Participant), Widsten, P. (Participant), Vikman, M. (Participant), Kanerva, H. (Participant) & Tuominen, L. J. (Participant)
1/06/24 → 30/05/26
Project: Business Finland project
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F3: Films for Future
Kumar, V. (Manager), Harlin, A. (Owner), Mäkelä, M. (Participant), Sirviö, J. (Participant), Orelma, H. (Participant), Kunnari, V. (Participant), Määttänen, M. (Participant), Kontturi, K. (Participant), Ahokas, P. (Participant), Ahadian, H. (Participant), Mannela, P. (Participant), Varkoi, J. (Participant), Soini, T. (Participant), Pettersson, K. (Participant), Liukkonen, V. (Participant), Salonen, U. (Participant), Vihersola, N. (Participant), Leino, M. (Participant), Palmu, M. (Participant), Luoma, E. (Participant), Toriseva, J. (Participant), Nissinen, E. (Participant), Rauta, S.-T. (Participant), Gestranius, M. (Participant), Huomo, G. (Participant), Reiman, T. (Participant), Ghimire, H. (Participant), Majoinen, J. (Participant) & Latvatalo, H. (Participant)
Co-funded by the European Union, Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council, Regional Council of South Karelia
15/09/22 → 31/03/26
Project: EU project
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FullCell: Fully cellulose-based solutions for industrial applications
Kumar, V. (Manager), Harlin, A. (Participant), Salminen, K. (Owner), Kunnari, V. (Participant), Ahadian, H. (Participant) & Majoinen, J. (Participant)
1/06/24 → 31/01/25
Project: Business Finland project
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RAWMINA: Integrated innovative pilot system for Critical Raw Materials recovery from mines wastes in a circular economy context
Pajarre, R. (Manager), Yamamoto, A. (Participant), Kumar, V. (Participant), Penttilä, K. (Participant), Salo, M. (Participant) & Viik, E. (Participant)
1/05/21 → 31/10/24
Project: EU project
Research output
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Mapping Of The Potential To Substitute Plastic In Food Packaging In Finnish Supermarkets
Lahtinen, T., Kataja, K., Viitanen, J., Kumar, V., Lahtinen, J. H. & Harlin, A., 2024, In: Journal of Applied Packaging Research. 16, 1, 29 p., 4.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Open Access -
Thermochromic Nanocellulose Films for Temperature-Adaptive Passive Cooling
Jaiswal, A. K., Hokkanen, A., Khakalo, S., Mäkelä, T., Savolainen, A. & Kumar, V., 27 Mar 2024, In: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. 16, 12, p. 15262-15272Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Open Access11 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus) -
Biodegradable Cellulose Nanocomposite Substrate for Recyclable Flexible Printed Electronics
Jaiswal, A. K., Kumar, V., Jansson, E., Huttunen, O.-H., Yamamoto, A., Vikman, M., Khakalo, A., Hiltunen, J. & Behfar, M., Apr 2023, In: Advanced Electronic Materials. 9, 4, 2201094.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Open AccessFile48 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)314 Downloads (Pure) -
Recovery of critical raw materials using functional nanocelluloses with high adsorption capacity
Yamamoto, A., Kumar, V., Setälä, H., Koso, T., King, A., Gispert, J., Matencio, S. & Morillo, D., 26 Sept 2023, p. 87. 1 p.Research output: Contribution to conference › Conference Abstract › Scientific › peer-review
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A Novel Foam Coating Approach to Produce Abrasive Structures on Textiles
Kenttä, E., Kumar, V., Andersson, P. & Forsström, U., 1 Sept 2022, In: Autex Research Journal. 22, 3, p. 335-342Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Open Access4 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)
Prizes
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Winner of YScience Forestry & Nature Pitching Competition 2025
Kumar, V. (Recipient), Jaiswal, A. (Recipient), Koppolu, R. (Recipient) & Hellen, E. (Recipient), 19 Nov 2025
Prize: Prize for a work
Activities
- 14 Conference presentation
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Films for Future - Novel regenerated cellulose films and coatings
Kunnari, V. (Speaker) & Kumar, V. (Contributor)
11 Sept 2024 → 13 Sept 2024Activity: Talk or presentation types › Conference presentation
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Biobased Biodegradable and Recyclable Cellulose Substrates for Flexible Printed Electronics
Jaiswal, A. (Speaker), Lohtander-Piispa, T. (Contributor), Hakola, E. (Contributor), Vikman, M. (Contributor), Kumar, V. (Contributor) & Behfar, M. (Contributor)
17 Jun 2024 → 20 Jun 2024Activity: Talk or presentation types › Conference presentation
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Cellulose films for future food packaging applications
Kumar, V. (Speaker)
6 Mar 2024 → 7 Mar 2024Activity: Talk or presentation types › Conference presentation
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Sustainable Materials for Extrusion Coating of Regenerated Cellulose Substrates
Luoma, E. (Speaker), Toriseva, J. (Contributor), Nissinen, E. (Contributor) & Kumar, V. (Contributor)
17 Jun 2024 → 21 Jun 2024Activity: Talk or presentation types › Conference presentation
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Novel Regenerated Cellulose Based Barriers on Carton Board
Kunnari, V. (Speaker), Kumar, V. (Contributor), Majoinen, J. (Contributor) & Harlin, A. (Contributor)
17 Jun 2024 → 21 Jun 2024Activity: Talk or presentation types › Conference presentation