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14.10.2008
Successful completion of the ECOSB LIFE project
Kronospan Luxembourg S.A. has successfully implemented a new and environmentally friendly technology for the production of OSB panels. Based on a revolutionary drying system, the new process allowed for substantial reduction of volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions during the production phase as well as during the panels’ use phase. These have brought significant positive impact on the whole lifecycle of the product. Additional reductions in carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions have been achieved. The implementation of the ECOSB LIFE project has demonstrated the environmental benefits of the innovative process and products.
New and environmentally friendly OSB panels (ECOSB)
The ECOSB LIFE project (LIFE05 ENV/L/000047) has been successfully implemented by Kronospan Luxembourg SA between January 2005 and December 2007 with the fruitful collaboration of the partner WKI (Fraunhofer-Institut für Holzforschung – Wilhelm Klauditz Institut, Germany). The project focused on the introduction of a new and environmentally friendly manufacturing technology (a new drying concept for wood) for the production of engineered wood-based panels (OSB).
There are three different types of engineered wood based panels that have been produced: particleboard, MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) and OSB (Oriented Strand Board). OSB boards were first produced in North America in 1965 and their main field of application is the building industry (e.g. for wall sheathing, roof panels, subfloors, single-layer floors, structural insulated panels, floor joists or rim boards). In Europe, the OSB production has commenced in the early 1990's, where production capacity increased to over 3,6 million m3 by 2006. According to the European standards (EN300), there are 4 types of OSB panels:
• OSB/1: boards for general-purpose use and interior use in dry conditions
• OSB/2: boards for load bearing in dry conditions
• OSB/3: boards for load bearing in wet/moist conditions
• OSB/4: high-specification boards for load-bearing in wet/moist conditions
Oriented strand boards (OSB) are wood based panels, built up in three layers of strands bonded with a resin. The strands of the outer layers are arranged at right angles to those in the middle layer. This structure leads to outstanding mechanical properties for application in several areas, such as construction, packaging, roofing and facing etc.
Project objectives
The ECOSB project aimed at implementing a new environmentally friendly production process for engineered wood based panels. The new ecologic OSB production process has allowed the development of OSB panels with significantly lower VOC (volatile organic compounds) contents.
By using the steam-dried strands, we aimed at reaching better board quality with improved resource consumption (energy, wood, glues etc).
Project results
The implementation of the ECOSB project was a challenge for the Company, since the industrial process of wood panels manufacturing is very complex. This can be explained by continuous variation of characteristics of the raw material (wood). Therefore, the process requires permanent adaptation. Based on a revolutionary drying system for the strands, the technological process allowed an inline purification of the organic compounds by incineration. As a consequence, no additional filter for these compounds is required. Using the residual components (exhaust gases) for the machinery energy supply, we could decrease of the gas emissions (carbon dioxide -CO2- and carbon monoxide -CO) and natural gas consumption.
At the end of the project, the Centre de Recherche Public Henri Tudor, Luxembourg (CRTE) has performed a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of the entire production process and a “gate to gate” analysis (Ökobilanz) for the OSB boards. This study has assessed and demonstrated the environmental benefits of the new manufacturing process.
Four main advantages have been demonstrated after the implementation of the “ecodry” process:
• Less fuel consumption needed for heating,
• Reduction of VOC emissions (up to 97%) due to the closed loop of the exhaust gases,
• Less glue (0,5%) and wood (3%) needed thanks to the optimized size and better adhesion of strands,
• On the LCA level, the total damage on climate change and human health decreased between 25% and 50%, depending on the methodology used for measurements (see picture below).
For further information see ECOSB Report.
See also the ECOSB Web Summary and Project description
More about the LIFE Programme.
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© 2008-2010 Kronospan Luxembourg SA
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