THE SMART FACTORY WILL BE SUSTAINABLE OR IT WON’T EXIST
Sustainability has become a strategic priority for the digital transformation of the wood industry. Among the biggest challenges we have identified at Finvalia are the recycling of MDF boards and the management of drying gases.
How Finvalia will improve MDF recycling
Recycling MDF, a versatile and widely used material, faces significant barriers. Fibers tend to degrade during processing, and adhesives and chemicals make separation and reuse difficult. To address this, FINSA is developing technologies such as Steam Explosion, a process that uses high-pressure steam to individualize wood fibers and prepare them for reintegration into new boards. Project tasks include building a pilot plant, characterizing the recovered fibers, and assessing the economic and technical feasibility of the process.
The challenge of managing drying gases
In parallel, managing drying gases poses both a challenge and an opportunity. These gases contain compounds such as alpha-pinene and beta-pinene, which can be transformed into value-added products like turpentine. The project involves the condensation and separation of these compounds using advanced filtration and chemical analysis systems. This will reduce pollutant emissions and repurpose industrial waste as new raw materials.
4 sustainable goals we will achieve with Finvalia
These initiatives promise key advancements in sustainability:
- Reduction of waste and emissions: in both MDF recycling and drying gas management, with technologies that minimize environmental impact.
- Production of high-quality materials: recovery of optimal fibers for new MDF boards, meeting strict sustainability standards.
- Valorization of by-products: leveraging compounds present in drying gases for the production of turpentine or other products.
- Economic and technical feasibility: development of efficient and cost-effective processes that enhance the sector’s competitiveness.
The path toward a more sustainable industry is full of challenges, but also solutions that are already making a difference, as we will demonstrate with data throughout the development of this pilot.
