Key highlights
- Sonae Arauco started the fiberboard recycling line at Mangualde mill in Q3 2025.
- The line uses ANDRITZ's Steam-Ex system for steam explosion pretreatment.
- The process ensures low steam consumption and high yield.
- The system produced expected quality fibers quickly during commissioning.
Project Overview
Sonae Arauco has launched the first industrial-scale fiberboard recycling line at its Mangualde mill in Portugal, starting in Q3 2025. This initiative is a significant advancement in sustainable fiberboard production.
Technology and Process
The recycling line utilizes the ANDRITZ Steam-Ex system, which employs steam explosion for pretreatment. This technology enables efficient transformation of recycled fiberboard material into reusable fibers for new MDF/HDF panels.
Efficiency and Performance
The process is designed for continuous, energy-efficient operation with low steam consumption, resulting in a higher yield compared to other recycling methods. During commissioning, the system quickly produced fibers of the expected quality, demonstrating the effectiveness of the Steam-Ex process.
