Das Projekt "Novel closed-loop technology for panel recycling" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Göttingen, Institut für Holzbiologie und Holztechnologie durchgeführt. General Information: In Europe, about 30 million m3 of particleboard and nearly 3.5 million m3 of medium density fibreboard (MDF) were produced in 1995, half of the world's production. The amounts of refused board are already significant and their handling causes problems in many European countries. It should be noted that burning old furniture, apart from wasting natural resources, is not environmentally desirable mainly due to the creation of dioxins, carbon dioxine, etc. Moreover, Germany has already enacted environmental legislation that forbids the dumping of materials containing more than 5 Prozent organic compounds by the year 2005 (TA - Siedlungsabfall). Similar legislation may be enacted in other European countries. This project addresses this already existing and progressively gaining more importance problem. According to the proposed recycling process, particleboard and medium density fibreboard will be pulped using conventional pulping techniques. The fibrous material generated will be used as a starting material for the production of medium density fibreboard and/or lower paper grades. The black liquor containing the degradation products of the resin will be used as an extender for conventional amino and phenolic resins. Preliminary experiments have proved this concept and a patent (DE-PS-4334422) was recently granted in Germany. The objective of the project is to develop a process for the production of medium density fibreboard and lower grade paper or paperboard with acceptable properties by using exclusively fibres produced by pulping waste panels. Furthermore, the black liquor generated by the pulping process will be used to substitute up to a level of 30 Prozent synthetic resins such as amino and phenolic resins used in the production of wood-based panels. Another objective is further recycling of the panels produced by this process. On successful completion of the project a novel closed-loop technology for the recycling of old furniture and other wood-based panels will be available to address the sizeable demand for recycling expected due to forthcoming legislation. The technique of this projects is unique as it involves the recycling of both the lignocellulosic part of particleboards and fibreboards and of the binder resin as well, using an environmentally friendly process. The partners form a powerful consortium of a university with innovative science needing implementation, an SME skilled in introducing new technology into the board industry, an industrially friendly funded research institute with specialised expertise in wood research and three industrial companies; an adhesives manufacturer, a producer of wood panels and paperboard. With this industrial involvement and the commitment to finding a solution to a problem critical for our environment, there is a very good prospect of the new technology being exploited in the medium term. Prime Contractor: Adhesives Research Institute Ltd., Kalamaria; Greece.