Valmet boosts orders by 30 percent and prepares its two divisions for an independent future

A decisive quarter for the Finnish machinery giant

Valmet has closed the third quarter of 2026 with a financial performance that validates its current market strategy while setting the stage for a historic corporate restructuring. The Finnish multinational reported a 30% surge in orders received, reaching €1,408 million, a clear indicator of sustained demand in its core industrial sectors. Net sales also saw a solid 5% increase, climbing to €1,360 million compared to the same period last year.

Beyond the top-line growth, the company's profitability metrics reflect operational discipline. The comparable EBITA grew by 6% to €169 million, achieving a margin of 12.4%. This stability is particularly notable given the complex global macroeconomic environment affecting capital expenditures in the heavy machinery and paper sectors.

The Biomaterial Solutions engine

The driving force behind this quarter's exceptional order intake was the Biomaterial Solutions and Services segment. This division, which encompasses pulp, paper, board, tissue, and related services, experienced a massive 37% jump in orders, totaling €1,009 million. This figure underscores the industry's ongoing transition toward sustainable packaging materials and the continuous need for efficiency upgrades in existing mills.

Thomas Hinnerskov, President and CEO of Valmet, emphasized that these results are a direct consequence of the company's Lead the Way strategy. The robust performance in biomaterial services, coupled with major project wins, keeps the company on track to pursue its ambitious 2030 target of a 15% comparable EBITA margin.

Preparing for a structural split

However, the most strategically significant development is not found in the balance sheet, but in the boardroom. Valmet has confirmed that during the fourth quarter of 2026, it will initiate concrete activities to ensure its two primary segments—Biomaterial Solutions and Services, and Process Performance Solutions—are fully prepared to operate independently.

• Biomaterial Solutions and Services: Focused on process technologies and services for the pulp, paper, and energy industries.
• Process Performance Solutions: Centered on automation systems, flow control, and industrial software.

This operational readiness is a crucial step in the ongoing strategic review, first announced in July 2026, which evaluates the potential separation of these units into two standalone publicly listed companies. While a final decision has not yet been made, the allocation of approximately €10 million in Q4 to facilitate this transition signals a strong commitment to exploring a future where both entities can pursue tailored growth strategies and capital structures without the constraints of a conglomerate model.