Waste Wood

Addressing Challenges for a Circular Post-Consumer Fibreboard Industry in Europe

florence — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 11:34:33 +0000

Addressing Challenges for a Circular Post-Consumer Fibreboard Industry in Europe

Establishing a circular economy model for the fibreboard industry in Europe requires tackling many challenges at different levels of the value chain. In this article, we will present three key challenges and what EcoReFibre is doing to solve them: 1. Sorting, 2. Supply, and 3. Fibre Processing

Challenge number one: Sorting

The lack of adequate collection and sorting processes, combined with limited public awareness, are significant factors leading to fibreboards missclassification and improper disposal in various waste streams, such as municipal waste or even in landfills, at the end of their consumer journey. This not only complicates the recycling process but also results in the loss of valuable materials that could otherwise be reintroduced into the production cycle.

EcoReFibre addresses these issues by developing and deploying innovative sorting technologies, designed to ensure that fibreboards are accurately identified and separated from other materials. Only fibreboard of high purity can be used for recycling which is one of the major obstacles for circularity in fibreboard production. EcoReFibre enables effective recovery of post-consumer fibreboard, ensuring the necessary quality for its reintroduction into the material loop.

Challenge number two: Supply

The geographic separation between urban wood waste accumulation and rural fibreboard production facilities presents more than logistical concerns. Transportation over long distances leads to higher fuel consumption, increased costs, and greater greenhouse gas emissions, challenging the economic and environmental viability of the recycling process.

EcoReFibre evaluates the environmental and economic impact and cost-effectiveness of the post-consumer fibreboard supply, ensuring that the newly established circular economy models are both environmentally and economically worthwhile to pursue.

Challenge number three: Fibre Processing

Effectively recycling fibreboards requires more than just grinding them down, as they include a mix of wood fibres and glue, often furnished with coatings and additives, such as fire retardants, that enhance the board’s properties and lifespan. Advanced material extraction methods must guarantee that the wood fibres remain as intact as possible when being sorted.

EcoReFibre is developing and testing different extraction technologies to process these composite materials. Namely, 5 industrial pilot projects have been launched to test and validate new methods as well as adapted processes, like refining. The pilots aim to recover fibres and particles with 95% purity to be reused in the production of new fibreboards, particleboards, insulation boards, and bio-composites.

Collaboration across the entire value chain

How does EcoReFibre address these concerns? EcoReFibre has mobilised a network of 20 partners across Europe, to develop comprehensive solutions for each of these challenges. The project’s strength lies in its collaboration among diverse sectors, throughout the entire value chain. This approach is EcoReFibre’s unique core attribute in building an innovative circular economy model for post-consumer fibreboard industry in Europe.

EcoReFibre launches first video

florence — Sat, 30 Mar 2024 17:14:37 +0000

EcoReFibre presents its ambitions in a video

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With a focus on wood recycling and waste management, the EcoReFibre project, spearheaded by a consortium of 20 partners, continues towards groundbreaking progress . A first video sheds light on what the project stands and calls for. Through the release of its first video, EcoReFibre exemplifies the project’s aspirations and commitment to advancing circularity by pushing wood recycling and waste sorting technologies to the next level.

EcoReFibre project unveils promising advancements in Recycling Technology

florence — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 17:19:40 +0000

EcoReFibre project unveils promising advancements in Recycling Technology and presents its ambitions in a Video

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Driven by cutting-edge research, the EU funded project, EcoReFibre aims to bolster wood resources across Europe by maximising recycling efforts and to substitute up to 25% of the virgin fibres currently used in the European fibreboard market. As the world celebrated Recycling Day, EcoReFibre calls upon individuals, organisations, and communities to explore the transformative potential and impact of recycling

2024-ECOREFIBRE-PR 3 recylcing day Download

EcoReFibre 3rd General Assembly in Paris, France

florence — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 07:31:17 +0000

EcoReFibre 3rd General Assembly: promising results towards industrial trials.

EcoReFibre’s third General Assembly was held in Paris on November 6-7, 2023. Hosted by FCBA technological institute, the consortium has made significant headway towards upcoming industrial trials.

From delving into work package statuses to fostering dialogues in workshops, EcoReFibre partners are dedicated to developing a circular economy approach to recycle waste wood back into fiberboard and into novel building products.

Interactive workshops were conducted, emphasising dissemination and exploitation strategies to enhance knowledge sharing and foster dialogues. Partners will also be expanding efforts to develop and share best practices and recommendations. The aim is to create / improve new collection schemes for clean wood and fibreboard waste at industrial scale to increase recycling rates.

This General Assembly was also marked by:

Lab Tour of FCBA’s Furniture department: Partners visited the “InnovaTheque”, a library of innovative materials, as well as labs for product performance analyses and tests.
The promotion of the projects’ multilingual online survey. Take the survey!
The release of EcoReFibre’s first newsletter. Read the Newsletter #1 and subscribe if you did not receive it.

EcoReFibre Launches Survey to Predict Fibreboard Waste in Europe Using Crowd Wisdom

florence — Sat, 30 Sep 2023 16:30:14 +0000

EcoReFibre Launches Survey to Predict Fibreboard Waste in Europe Using Crowd Wisdom

Download Press Release

The EcoReFibre project, committed to advancing sustainable practices and reducing waste in Europe, has announced the launch of an innovative survey aimed at harnessing collective wisdom to predict fibreboard waste quantities accurately.

Building upon its commitment to promoting sustainable practices and fostering the circular economy, the EcoReFibre project continues to make significant strides in improving fibreboard waste management in Europe. Fibreboard, commonly used in various products, is aimed to be recycled both in more material efficient and economically attractive ways to increase the share of recycled fibres in fibreboards. As an extension of its ongoing efforts, EcoReFibre is excited to announce a unique initiative based on Crowd Wisdom aimed at harnessing collective insight to predict fibreboard waste quantities that will be generated across Europe. Read full press release here.