Sonae Arauco presents a new generation of recycled MDF panels

 Friday, October 24, 2025

In a significant stride towards a fully circular bio-economy, Sonae Arauco announced a breakthrough in sustainable material science: the BioReFiber X panel. This innovative Medium-Density Fibreboard (MDF) marks a new generation of wood composite materials by pairing recycled MDF fibres with a cutting-edge biomass-balanced resin system, dramatically reducing the panel’s reliance on fossil raw materials.

The initial unveiling of this development occurred at SICAM in Pordenone, Italy, a globally significant trade fair for accessories and semi-finished products crucial to the furniture and interior design sectors. BioReFiber X is positioned as a pivotal solution that will allow manufacturers to meet escalating market demand for low-carbon, high-performance materials.

The core innovation

The defining feature of BioReFiber X is its circular economy approach, addressing both the raw material and the binder components.

1. Recycled fibre integration: The panel integrates recycled MDF fibres, a challenging material to reuse due to the nature of traditional wood binders. This commitment aligns with Sonae Arauco’s wider sustainability strategy, where some of their particleboard products already contain over 70% recycled wood content. By increasing the utilisation of end-of-life wood, the company is actively participating in the “wood in cascade” principle, extending the material’s lifespan and preventing it from becoming waste.
2. Non-fossil resin system: The true technical leap lies in the adhesive. BioReFiber X employs a biomass-balanced resin, which means the panel replaces petrochemical-derived components with renewable raw materials sourced from sustainable biomass. This substitution is critical for decarbonisation, as the production of conventional synthetic resins typically involves high fossil fuel consumption. This technology directly results in a substantial reduction of CO2 emissions—up to 25%—compared to standard MDF panels.

Adelaide Alves, Group R&D and Product Development Director at Sonae Arauco, emphasised the strategic importance of this fusion. “The development of this new product represents a perfect balance between innovation and sustainability, which are fundamental priorities for Sonae Arauco. We believe the future of the industry lies in creating high-quality solutions that meet customer needs while respecting the principles of the circular economy and the limits of the planet. BioReFiber X meets all these requirements by combining recycled wood fibres with an adhesive system that minimises the use of fossil-based raw materials.”

The manufacturing base for this revolutionary panel will be Sonae Arauco’s plant in Mangualde, Portugal. The company confirmed that BioReFiber X is on track for market availability, with the commercial launch slated for the second quarter of 2026.

The pre-launch timing at SICAM 2025, which ran from October 14 to 17 in Pordenone, provided an essential platform for furniture manufacturers, architects, and designers to engage with the product ahead of its widespread rollout. For an industry currently scrutinising its environmental impact, the ability to specify a high-quality MDF with a verified 25% lower carbon footprint presents a significant competitive advantage.

The launch of BioReFiber X is a tangible output of Sonae Arauco’s overarching commitment to sustainable growth. This strategy includes a pledge to ensure 100% responsible wood sourcing and to accelerate its circular economy practices consistently.

Furthermore, the company has set an ambitious corporate target to achieve climate neutrality by 2040 for its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Scope 1 encompasses direct emissions from owned or controlled sources (like on-site energy generation), and Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from purchased energy. Innovations like the biomass-balanced resin are vital components of this roadmap, demonstrating a proactive approach to decarbonising production processes well ahead of regulatory deadlines.

In addition to the BioReFiber X panel, Sonae Arauco utilised the SICAM platform to introduce new aesthetic and tactile advancements within its Innovus decorative collection.

Under the inspiring theme, “Design that breathes. Wood that whispers stories”, the company showcased new features designed to offer superior surface versatility for the furniture and interior architecture communities. A key presentation highlight was the unveiling of the exclusive ‘Grace’ texture, designed to provide unique tactile and visual depth. This was accompanied by the launch of four new wood decors, further expanding the Innovus offering of premium, durable, and highly decorative surfaces.

Visitors to the exhibition were given a first look at the entire ‘Innovus – Matching our nature – New 2025’ collection, alongside new highlights from the Innovus Artwork Collection. These decorative solutions are engineered to appeal to the modern needs of architects, designers, and product developers, enabling them to create spaces and furniture that seamlessly blend high-end design, proven durability, and the company’s clear commitment to sustainability.

By simultaneously advancing core structural material technology (BioReFiber X) and enhancing its aesthetic product lines (Innovus), Sonae Arauco is clearly signaling its strategy: to provide the global furniture and construction industries with complete, end-to-end solutions that drive both design excellence and environmental responsibility.

Read more news on: SICAM 2025, circular economy, biomass

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Tags: Biomass-Balanced Resin, BioReFiber X, Circular Economy Wood Panel, Low-Carbon Furniture Components, Recycled MDF, sustainable wood solutions