Repeated thermo-hydrolytic disintegration of medium density fibreboards (MDF) for the production of new MDF

Abstract Medium density fibreboards (MDF) are currently not recycled after service life, but various publications report on recycling by the disintegration of MDF using techniques and properties obtained recovered fibres (RF). In this study, main aim was to put back RF into manufacturing process as closed-loop repeated thermo-hydrolytic disintegration. Compared previous studies, focus with a relatively low F:U molar ratio (1.11). Urea–formaldehyde-bonded target 700 kg m ?3 subjected in an autoclave only water at 95 °C for 20–30 min. Afterwards, virgin (VF), produced thereof composition (DW) were determined. The nitrogen content (NC) revealed that contained about 30% initially applied UF. pH DW hardly changed during it considerable amounts reducing sugars. Using did result higher formaldehyde emissions than VF. earlier studies (higher ratio), bonded modern UF resins can be disintegrated under clearly milder conditions respect temperature time. similar those reference MDF; up 100% could used without severely deteriorating strength increasing from these panels.