From waste to raw material

The Netherlands aims to be fully circular by 2050 and must reduce its use of natural raw materials by 50% by 2030. The Dutch furniture sector consumes much wood: 635 kilotons per year. As much as 20% of this is lost during the production process. It mainly concerns sheet materials: MDF and chipboard. Every year, 100 kilotons of this residual wood, produced as production waste, is incinerated. Van Deursen says, "So the potential environmental gain is 100 kilotons per year, a huge amount."

Wood Loop

"Even with the best intentions, a single company cannot improve the recycling cycle," says Van Deursen. "As an industry association, we can. That's why we founded Wood Loop." Wood Loop is an innovative organization that helps every wood processor, retailer, and sheet material producer easily and affordably recycle MDF and chipboard. CBM aims to involve the entire furniture sector, both small and large companies, members and non-members.

According to Van Deursen, the main challenge is logistics, given that the furniture sector consists of many small and medium-sized businesses. Wood Loop removes the waste processor from the chain and combines delivery and collection moments. Ultimately, the sheet material producer processes the wood residues from interior builders and furniture makers into new chipboards.

Enthusiasm

Since February 2022, 30 CBM members have been testing the concept. Van Deursen says, "People are very enthusiastic; we even had too many sign-ups for the testing phase." He emphasizes that Wood Loop is ultimately intended for the entire sector. "We have now established an initial chain. Starting this fall, new participants can register via www.wood-loop.nl. The test phase has shown that Wood Loop works financially and technically. There is a high demand."

Versnellingshuis and circular chain project subsidies

Dirk van Deursen frequently holds discussions with Versnellingshuis, which supports sectors and companies in transitioning to a circular economy. The Royal CBM has also used the Circular Chain Project subsidy (CKP).