Over the last 6 years we have done extensive research on most aspects required for efficient recycling of waste wood, and we know that just focusing on technology does not meet quality or production requirements. Up until 2021 we experienced very little interest from construction, waste collecting companies and particle board manufacturers in utilizing waste wood as a raw material. In 2021/22 we saw a massive change in the market that we believe was driven by several coinciding events:
- there had been several years with bark beetle attacks reducing availability of timber
- rapid increase in forest fires due to drought
- reduced availability of timber due to the war in Ukraine and embargo on Russian wood
- finally, due to rapid change in harsh weather, a global focus on CO2 has emerged were wood plays a vital part in the solution
R&D
To create a major push for utilizing reclaimed wood as a raw material for new products, we have experienced that there is a lack of knowledge in all stages of the process. Thus, Eco Materials has taken the responsibility to do research in areas we had not expected. We started out developing a technology unit allowing us to separate waste wood into different qualities, but have had to extend our research into:
- woodchip geometry and its impact on logistics
- mass flow
- cost of transportation
- requirements for different woodchippers
- woodchip properties and areas of use
- how different types of waste wood have changed properties
- how different waste wood contaminants impact the quality of new products and acceptance levels of contaminants
- origin and history of the waste wood
- metal detection and removal
- efficient demolition of building where wood is considered and managed as a new raw material and not waste
In all these areas the industry is lacking good data, so creating data models and collecting and analyzing relevant data from the whole value chain is a major part of our operation. We believe this is our greatest contribution to the circular economy.
Changing how things is done requires a lot of trial and error. Rapid prototyping is a vital part of our success in finding an efficient path quickly. Having an experienced (grey hair as proof) R&D director helps. Over the last year we have gone from left to right
Production
In October 2023 we had our full-scale test production facility up and running where our target is to deliver a throughput of 20-ton pr hour of high-quality raw material per production line by March 24.
From April 2024 we will be ready to build and operate recycling facilities producing woodchips from reclaimed wood in most parts of the world, that we own, or operate for or in cooperation with partners. From the date we have a designated production area available (with permits to operate), we will have the production up and running in 6 months. Eco Materials will set up a complete production facility for woodchips from waste wood, including in-/outbound logistics.
Our production is data driven and highly automated. We believe the most efficient plant will produce approximately 100 000-ton woodchips annually, but the optimum throughput will be decided based on location and distance to raw materials. From a pure production capacity viewpoint there is no limit, the main practical limitation is logistics cost and efficiency.
Partnerships
Working with partners supporting our cause is vital. We do not sell our technology but build and operate production facilities through joint-ventures or partnerships, where Eco Materials is responsible for the throughput and quality.