Although the panels are made of recycled wood, their green label clashes with the difficulties of recycling

Although the laminate panel is a product made from waste wood, therefore counted among the products with a green value, as this process can contribute to the reduction of deforestation and the exploitation of natural resources, their circularity involves very important difficulties.

Recycling a laminated wood panel is, even today, quite complicated by virtue of the chemical components that are added to the wood to give the panel structure.

Let's see how the panels are produced laminated wood

The first phase consists of the collection and selection of recycled wood. This can include reclaiming wood from packaging, pallets, used furniture or other sources of wood for recycling.

The recycled wood is then subjected to a process of shelling and grinding, to reduce it into particles of suitable size. This can be done using specialized equipment, such as shredders or gins.

Then the recycled wood particles are combined with a binder, such as wood-based resins or adhesives, to form a compact material. This mixture is then pressed to form a laminated board of wood.

Finally, the wood laminated panel goes through a lamination process. This involves applying a decorative layer to the panel surface, which can be a wood finish, printed paper or laminate film. This layer gives the panel an aesthetic look and can provide additional protection.

To conclude the production, the laminated panel is cut to the desired dimensions and undergoes a finishing phase, which may include sanding, the application of protective coatings or other finishing operations to improve its appearance and durability.

What chemicals are used for the production

In the production of laminated wood panels, different chemicals are used which play specific roles during the manufacturing process . The main ones are:

Wood-based resins or adhesives are essential to join the wood particles and form a compact panel. Some examples of commonly used resins are urea, phenolic or melamine based resins. These resins provide strong adhesion and contribute to the stability and durability of the panel.

Catalysts are used to accelerate or control the hardening process of the resins used in wood laminating. Catalysts can be used in small quantities and can include chemicals such as ammonium acetate or calcium acetate.

To obtain the desired appearance of laminated wood panels, dyes or pigments can be added to the resin. These dyes can be both organic and inorganic and are used to achieve a wide range of colors and finishes.

In some cases, flame retardant additives can be added to improve the fire resistance of laminated wood panels. Flame retardant additives can reduce the flammability of the material and protect the panels from potential fire hazards.

During the manufacturing process, lubricants or release agents may be used to facilitate woodworking and panel removal from equipment. These agents reduce friction and allow for better material handling.

What impact does the production of laminated panels have on the environment

During the manufacturing process of laminated wood panels, the use of certain chemicals can potentially contribute to the emission of pollutants in the environment.

The pollutants produced depend on the specific chemical substance used and the management practices adopted. Some possible environmental impacts associated with the use of chemicals in the production of laminated wood panels include:

Emission of compounds volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Some resins used in wood laminating may contain VOCs that can be released into the air during the manufacturing process. These VOCs can contribute to air pollution and the formation of secondary air pollutants such as ground-level ozone.

Chemical waste

During the manufacturing process, chemical waste such as resin waste, catalysts or additives can be generated. Improper handling of this chemical waste could lead to soil or surface water pollution if not treated or disposed of properly.

Impacts on the aquatic ecosystem

If wastewater containing chemicals is not treated properly, it can be released into the aquatic environment, potentially causing negative impacts on aquatic organisms and on the ecosystem. Some chemicals can be toxic to fish, aquatic organisms or ecosystems in general.

Consumption of natural resources

The production of chemicals used in the production of laminated wood panels may require the use of natural resources such as water, energy and raw materials. Excessive consumption of these resources can have significant environmental impacts, including degradation of water resources and greenhouse gas emissions from energy production.

It is important to underline that the environmental impact depends on various factors, including facility management, use of emission control technologies, waste disposal practices, and adherence to environmental rules and regulations.

Companies that produce laminated wood panels must take measures to minimize environmental impacts, such as the adoption of low environmental impact technologies, waste recycling and adequate treatment of waste water.

Furthermore, the implementation of environmental management systems and compliance with environmental regulations are essential to reduce negative impacts on human health and the environment.

How to recycle laminated wood panels

The recycling of laminated wood panels can be a complex process due to their structure made up of several layers of wood and resins. However, there are some possibilities for recycling laminated wood panels. Let's see some of them:

Energy recovery

The panels can be used as fuel for the production of thermal or electrical energy through controlled incineration in specialized plants. This process can contribute to the production of renewable energy.

Shredding and chip production

Laminated wood panels can be shredded to obtain wood chips that can be used as raw material for other industries, such as panel manufacturing chipboard or wood fiber panels.

Regeneration of materials

Some laminated wood panels can undergo material separation and regeneration processes. This can involve the recovery of wood particles and the recovery of resins to be reused as raw material in new production processes.

Reuse and repair

Laminated wood panels can be reused in other projects or can be repaired and repurposed for continued use. This can help extend the useful life of the panels and reduce the amount of waste produced.

Recycling of components

Some components of laminated wood panels, such as paper liners or laminating films can be recycled separately. These materials can be separated from the panels and subjected to appropriate recycling processes.

However, the recycling of laminated wood panels may require a process of disassembling and separating the components, which could be complex and require equipment specialized. Also, the availability of specific recycling facilities may vary depending on local regions and infrastructure.

Worldwide production of laminated wood panels

Currently, different countries produce laminated wood panels, and production can vary over time.

China is one of the world's leading manufacturers of laminated wood panels. The country has a large timber industry and has well-developed manufacturing facilities for the production of laminated panels.

The United States is a major producer of laminate wood paneling nations. Production is concentrated in several regions, including the West Coast and Southeast United States.

Germany is known for its highly developed wood industry and has a significant production of laminated wood panels. The country has a long tradition of producing wood-based building materials.

Japan is another major producer of laminated wood panels. The Japanese wood industry is renowned for its attention to detail and quality.

Canada has a large forest industry and significant production of laminated wood panels. The country is rich in forest resources and has a long tradition in the timber industry.

Automatic translation. We apologize for any inaccuracies. Original article in Italian