GERMANY – On April 29 and 30, partners of the EU-funded EcoReFibre project met at Dieffenbacher’s headquarters in Eppingen, Germany, to review progress and plan the next steps in developing recycling processes for end-of-life fiberboards.

Supported by EUR 12 million from the European Union, the project brings together 20 organizations from seven countries.

Dieffenbacher presented its Fiber2Fiber process, demonstrating two key stages: steam-based fiber extraction from post-consumer fiberboard chips and a cleaning system to remove impurities from the recycled fibers. The process has exceeded expectations, reaching a throughput of over 1,200 kg/h—more than double the target of 500 kg/h.

Michael Rupp, head of Dieffenbacher’s Recycling Business Unit, highlighted the significance of this achievement, stating that it brings the project closer to making fiberboard recycling viable on an industrial scale. He also thanked project leader

Stergios Adamopoulos from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences for his participation.

EcoReFibre aims to implement a circular economy model in the fiberboard sector by replacing up to 25% of virgin fibers with recycled ones, improving sustainability across Europe’s wood supply chain.