A world-first recycling technology has received a £250,000 investment from one of the UK’s leading resource management organisations.
Suez Recycling and Recovery UK has committed its support to further development of MDF Recovery’s medium density fibreboard recycling tech.
The North West-based firm has developed a commercially viable process to recover wood fibre from used or off-cuts, offering the first ever alternative to landfilling or incinerating MDF as part of an energy recovery solution.
Co-founder and managing director Craig Bartlett said: “The SUEZ investment provides a significant boost to MDF Recovery in our quest to commercialise the technology to make single use MDF a thing of the past.
“The recovered fibre produced by the process is of the same high quality as fibre obtained from virgin wood and can be used as a direct substitute in the manufacturing process.
“The timing of the SUEZ investment is perfect as we are already in discussions with a number of potential customers and partners within industry who recognise the significance of what we are doing.
“The MDF Recovery technology can be retro-fitted or designed into new plants and offers a robust solution for reworking waste and increasing the yield at the MDF manufacturing facility.”
This cash will support the next stage of growth as the business takes its proprietary technology to the commercial market after more than six years of research and development.
MDF as a material was first introduced in the 1970s and today more than 50 million tonnes are produced globally every year, servicing the furniture, construction and DIY markets.
Stuart Hayward-Higham, Suez Technical Development Director, said: “We are delighted to make this investment to continue assisting with the development of MDF Recovery’s ground-breaking technology.
“The technology should literally give a new prolonged shelf-life for MDF, one of the most popular materials across the construction and furniture industry from large scale commercial projects to the army of shelf-fitters and DIY carpenters up and down the country.
“Zero waste production for the wood component of MDF is now a real possibility. This is the perfect fit with SUEZ’s commitment to delivering practical, environmentally responsible and innovative waste management solutions.
“We look forward to continuing our close working relationship with Craig as he moves into the commercialisation phase of this industry first technology.”
Principal markets for MDF include the UK, Continental Europe, USA, Russia, Brazil and China. Demand for MDF products is increasing in Eastern Europe and Asia.
MDF Recovery’s solution generates a new secondary material source for the wood/natural fibre industry that displaces the need for new virgin materials and comes at a time when demand for virgin timber from many other sources is growing.
Suez and MDF Recovery have previously collaborated on an Innovate UK project within its Supply Chain Innovation towards a Circular Economy competition. The project focussed on introducing a closed loop recycling option for waste MDF, allowing manufacturers to take back material from their customers. A pilot plant was established and is currently being used to optimise the process and host demonstrations for industrial end users.
Before establishing MDF Recovery in 2009 with co-founder Jim New, Craig worked as Head of Research & Consultancy at the UK Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA), developing a wide range of technological solutions in partnership with industry and academia.
MDF Recovery has an Advisory Panel which includes Geoff Rhodes, a former President of the Timber Trade Federation (TTF), the European Association of MDF Manufacturers (EMB) and the Fibre Building Board Federation (FIDOR).
Other panel members include Dr Knut Kappenberg, a former Global R&D Manager at Sonae Industria, one of the largest global manufacturers of wood-based panel products, Dr Rob Elias, Director of the BioComposites Centre (BC) at Bangor University and experienced CEO and business advisor Ray Howard.
In addition to SUEZ and Innovate UK funding, the business is also backed by a group of angel investors.