SPAIN – The Garnica Group and Tecnalia have teamed up for an R&D project to transform waste from wood panel production into high-value materials for construction, focusing on valorizing sanding dust from plywood-type panels.

Sustainability policies promote waste minimization, encouraging the conversion of waste into new raw materials. Garnica and Tecnalia have developed an innovative process to turn sanding dust into biocomposites, offering sustainable products with outstanding properties for the sector.

Garnica, specialized in plywood, generates 17,500 m³ of sanding dust annually at its five plants in Spain. This waste is being transformed into a valuable material, reducing the environmental impact of production. The project aims to enhance both structural and insulation properties while minimizing waste.

One key development is the sandwich panel, with a biocomposite board on the outer faces and foam in the core. The product shows:

• Improved fire resistance through fireproofing
• 40% reduction in water absorption with hydrophobization
• Thermal conductivity similar to commercial products like rock wool

This panel, made up of 80% sanding dust, demonstrates how waste valorization can provide sustainable solutions in high demand for construction.

The collaboration between Garnica and Tecnalia shows how industries can integrate sustainability into their value chain, reducing environmental impact while creating innovative products for the market.

This project is a step toward a more responsible industry, where waste becomes a resource and sustainable technologies are promoted.