Unilin has achieved a world first: recycling MDF, HDF (Medium and High Density Fibreboard) and laminate flooring waste into new MDF, HDF and laminate floors.

MDF and HDF are widely used in furniture and laminate flooring, a key product of the company’s globally known Quick-Step brand. They were long considered non-recyclable. But in 2021, Unilin cracked the code with a patented steam expansion technology. In 2025, the technology was scaled up to an industrial level, turning waste into high-quality raw materials for new panels and floors.

Why does this matter? The construction industry needs to move away from energy-intensive, fossil-based materials. Wood offers a sustainable alternative: it’s renewable and stores carbon for decades. But growing wood demand risks putting pressure on forests. That’s why recycling is key. Every piece of wood reused means more wood-based products without cutting more trees.

Unilin has been a pioneer in circularity for decades. Starting in the 1960s by repurposing waste from the linen industry, they have evolved today into Belgium’s largest wood recycler. Chipboards (often used in furniture sides or countertops) are made from larger wood particles, which makes mechanical recycling possible. MDF and HDF, however, are made from fine wood fibres, making them much harder to recycle. MDF is commonly used for applications that require precise milling and a smoother surface, like kitchen cabinet doors with milled handles or grooves. Our breakthrough closes the loop for these fibreboards and for laminate floors, as they are built on an HDF core.

The potential impact is enormous. Europe produces hundreds of millions of square metres of laminate flooring and millions of cubic metres of MDF every year, materials that were previously destined for landfills or incineration. Our technology changes that, turning this massive waste stream into a valuable resource.

In the coming years, we aim to replace 25 % of fibres in our panels with recycled fibres, significantly reducing the need for virgin wood and cutting emissions. And the impact doesn’t stop with us: by making this patented technology available for licensing worldwide, we enable manufacturers everywhere to adopt this circular practice. It’s a scalable solution with the power to transform an entire industry. This is not just a great, noble idea on paper; it’s a proven Belgian innovation with the power to transform a whole product category that exists in almost every home.