Unilin has committed €20 million to expand and enhance its MDF recycling capabilities at its Bazeilles site in France, marking a significant step toward large-scale recycling of MDF on an industrial scale. Previously, MDF products like decorative panels, laminate flooring, and production waste were simply incinerated at the end of their lifecycle. The primary obstacle to recycling these products was the glue used to bond the wood fibers, which complicated recycling efforts.

To address this challenge, Unilin developed a method to break down the glue molecules using steam in specially adapted industrial "cooking vessels." This approach was initially tested in a kitchen environment by Unilin Panels' CEO Véronique Hoflack and refined through extensive experimentation with project engineer Stéphane Marthy to determine the best process parameters for efficient glue breakdown.

With the success of these tests, Unilin has now moved into industrial-scale production. The Bazeilles plant, which currently recycles 1,500 kg of MDF per hour, aims to increase this rate exponentially by September 2025 when the first custom-designed MDF recycling line is set to become operational. According to site manager Julien Boucher, the goal for this phase is to store an additional 380,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year, equivalent to the annual emissions of about 211,000 cars, by keeping carbon stored in the wood rather than releasing it through incineration.

The €20 million investment will cover new industrial facilities, specialized equipment, and process improvements, enabling Unilin to produce MDF panels containing 30% recycled material, with plans to increase this proportion over time. To achieve this, Unilin will integrate two recycling lines: one for pre-consumer waste generated by industrial clients and one for post-consumer waste collected at the end of products' lifecycle.