Unilin’s boards made from recycled MDF panels.

In an ambitious leap forward for sustainable manufacturing, Unilin has joined forces with Dieffenbacher to revolutionize the recycling of wood fibreboard. The collaboration, which began with the introduction of Unilin’s pioneering ‘Osiris’ technology in October 2024, has now advanced to the industrial scale with the announcement of the ‘Osiris 2.0’ recycling plant.

This innovative facility, set to begin operations in the fall of 2025, promises to transform how post-consumer fibreboard materials are processed globally. The Osiris 2.0 plant, to be installed at Unilin’s MDF facility in France, is a major upgrade from its predecessor, the ‘Osiris 1.0’ pilot installation.

With the ability to increase recycling capacity from one to ten tonnes per hour, the new system will handle not only production waste but also post-consumer MDF material, such as bulky waste. This advancement represents a significant step forward in circular economy practices within the fibreboard industry.

Dieffenbacher’s expertise in high-capacity recycling technology played a pivotal role in this project. “They are the only supplier capable of delivering equipment that can handle such large volumes while processing post-consumer fibreboard alongside production waste,” explained Jan Gallet, General Manager for MDF at Unilin.

The comprehensive scope of Dieffenbacher’s contribution includes cutting-edge equipment such as fibre sifters, glue preparation systems, the PROjet glue-saving system, pneumatic systems, and a sophisticated emission control system. Additionally, the newly designed steam explosion vessel, engineered by Dieffenbacher Energy in Austria, stands as a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation in recycling processes.

The partnership is also a significant milestone for the company’s recycling business unit. “This project highlights the full potential of our fibreboard recycling technology,” notes Jean-Christophe Zimmermann, Head of Sales for the division.

With its advanced design and automation features, the Osiris 2.0 plant is poised to set new standards for efficiency and environmental responsibility in the wood-based materials sector.

Both companies see the project as a showcase of their shared commitment to sustainability. Gallet expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, calling the system a “first-of-its-kind” achievement.

By bridging industrial-scale recycling with innovative engineering, this partnership is expected to drive global adoption of greener practices in fibreboard production.

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