Unilin’s new fibreboard recycling plant at its MDF plant in Bazeilles, France is now fully operational.
Main technology supplier Dieffenbacher said its Fiber2Fiber recycling line at Unilin, which produced its first fibres from recycled fibreboard material in October 2025, is now operational and has been fully integrated into the ongoing production process at Bazeilles.
Dieffenbacher says the plant is the first in the world capable of recycling both internal fibreboard waste, such as production waste and residual materials from fibreboard manufacturing, and post-consumer fibreboard material, for example from bulky waste.
“We are excited to announce the successful integration of our new Fiber2Fiber plant from Dieffenbacher into our existing MDF line,” said Jan Gallet, General Manager MDF at Unilin.
“The system is unique worldwide, as was the collaboration between our two companies on this project. This innovation allows us to integrate recycled fibres into decorative products such as our Master Oak collection, without compromising on quality.”
Michael Rupp, Head of the Recycling Business Unit at Dieffenbacher, said the development showed that making fibreboards recyclable on an industrial scale was possible.
“This innovation not only supports the circular economy but also sets new standards for sustainable production in the industry,” he added.
Fiber2Fiber uses a steam process to recover fibres from waste fibreboards. In Dieffenbacher’s FiberXtractor, the fibreboard waste is processed in a closed autoclave system using only steam at high pressure. When pressure is rapidly released, the steam causes the fibreboard structure to burst apart, separating the fibres without damaging their original structure.
These fibres are immediately reintegrated into the production of new fibreboards.
More details on this project will appear in the next edition of WBPI
