Unveiling the Technology Responsible for Increasing 70% Recycled MDF Production
In a groundbreaking move, Italian engineered wood products manufacturer FANTONI S.p.A. has partnered with technology provider STEINERT to create an advanced integrated sorting technology that allows for up to 70% recycled content in their premium Medium Density Fibreboards (MDF) panels.
The state-of-the-art facility, designed in-house by FANTONI, processes approximately 450,000 tonnes of post-consumer wood waste annually. This complex and contaminated raw material poses significant challenges, as it often contains contaminants like nails, plastics, glass, stones, and minerals. However, the bespoke sorting system meticulously selects and integrates best-in-class machines for each sorting stage, ensuring unmatched purity and maintaining product quality without compromising downstream manufacturing operations.
The collaboration between FANTONI and STEINERT includes metal separation, dense contaminant removal, wood purity and species separation, and the use of STEINERT's Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) technology. This robust, native solution reduces complexity and operational costs, particularly in detecting black contaminants.
The partnership also includes on-site support during the crucial startup phase to optimize the machines for different material flows. Extensive trials at STEINERT's Test Center in Cologne further refined the technology, ensuring its efficiency and reliability.
Marco Fantoni, the company's CEO, explains that this pioneering process to recycle end-of-life MDF panels not only demonstrates environmental responsibility but also market leadership. The collaboration between FANTONI and STEINERT has paved a roadmap for the industry's sustainable future, showing that these two ideals can advance together.
The engineered-led plant design and multi-stage, robust sorting processes guarantee high throughput at scale while meeting the strict purity requirements necessary for furniture-grade MDF. This approach offers a roadmap for manufacturers seeking similar sustainable production solutions, as regulatory requirements drive demand for recycled content.
FANTONI's three-layer MDF panel features virgin wood for flawless outer surfaces and recycled content for the core. This innovative approach not only reduces the environmental footprint but also contributes to resource conservation and the circular economy.
For those interested in learning more about sustainable production solutions, STEINERT's website provides technical details and capabilities. With a €150 million investment and a partnership with STEINERT, FANTONI has demonstrated that achieving 70% recycled content in premium wood panels requires proven technology and engineering excellence.
- The collaboration between FANTONI and technology provider STEINERT has enabled the manufacturing of Medium Density Fibreboards (MDF) panels, incorporating up to 70% recycled content.
- The integrated sorting technology, designed for FANTONI's facility, addresses complex challenges associated with post-consumer wood waste, including contaminants like nails, plastics, glass, stones, and minerals.
- The steel giant's headquarters boasts a state-of-the-art facility that annually processes approximately 450,000 tonnes of such waste, utilizing a bespoke sorting system to ensure unmatched purity and maintain product quality.
- This partnership between FANTONI and STEINERT is instrumental in promoting sustainable living, as demonstrated by the company's pioneering process to recycle end-of-life MDF panels, showcasing environmental responsibility and industry leadership.
- For manufacturers seeking sustainable production solutions, Technical details and capabilities can be found on STEINERT's website, as evident with FANTONI's €150 million investment and partnership with STEINERT, proving that achieving 70% recycled content in premium wood panels requires proven technology and engineering excellence.
