Tecnologia LIGNO

Long description

The large amount of waste generated by the furniture industry is a serious global problem. Most of this waste is discarded irregularly, impacting on the environment. The LIGNO Technology was developed in the School of Architecture and Design at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). It aims to mitigate the impacts of this serious problem that affects our planet. This technology transforms solid wood’s and its derivatives’ (e.g., Medium Density Fibreboard [MDF], Medium Density Particleboard [MDP], Oriented Strand Board [OSB]) waste into new products.

Four principles are embedded in the technology:

1. a) THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT – transforming waste into meaningful products;
2. b) SOCIAL IMPACT – potentially generating employment and income from the valorisation of waste by transforming it into products and enabling commercialization;
3. c) FEASIBILITY – utilising conventional equipment, techniques and manufacturing processes that consist of a few steps;
4. d) CIRCULAR ECONOMY – reintroducing the waste into the value chain, and recycling the products generated by the technology as raw material for another production cycle, “from cradle to cradle”.

The production process is based on pressing, using specific moulds for each type of product, high temperature and pressure. The composite material is the result of mixing wood waste with the non-toxic vinyl polyacetate adhesive (PVA). Several products can be designed and manufactured using LIGNO Technology, such as decorative objects, lamps, toys, furniture, furniture components, amongst others.

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