Unilin has introduced MDF panels containing up to 25% recycled fibres onto the market, following the commissioning of its new recycling facility in Bazeilles, northern France.
The company says this marks the first commercial application of its MDF and HDF recycling process.
The panels incorporate wood fibres recovered using Unilin’s patented Osiris technology, which converts used waste MDF and HDF panels into high-quality fibres suitable for manufacturing new panels.
The Bazeilles facility can produce up to 70,000t of recycled wood fibres annually and is estimated to help eliminate 130,000t of CO₂ emissions each year.
Unilin said its new process keeps carbon stored in wood for longer while reducing reliance on virgin raw materials.
The patented Osiris technology uses steam to break down and purify MDF waste, preserving the structure of the recovered wood fibres for reuse in new panels.
Testing has shown that panels incorporating the recycled fibres match the performance and mechanical strength of those made with entirely new material.
The company offers its MDF panels containing up to 25% recycled content via an ISCC PLUS-certified mass balance system.
Unilin intends for recycled fibres to comprise a quarter of the MDF wood fibre mix at all its manufacturing locations in the future.
The company is making its Osiris recycling system available to other manufacturers under licence, aiming to accelerate its adoption across the wider panel-manufacturing industry.
Unilin Panels R&D director Geert Coudenys said: “By processing used MDF and HDF again, we significantly extend the life cycle of wood fibres.
“This gives new trees the opportunity to grow and store CO₂, while reducing our dependence on virgin raw materials. It is a technology that delivers environmental benefits without compromising the economics.”
The project received financial support from the French government under France 2030, with ADEME and the La Région Grand Est also contributing to funding.
