Circular Economy in the Forestry Industry: Recovering High-Purity Raw Materials from By-Products

At a facility operated by one of the world’s leading producers in sustainable forestry, wood-based panels, and bioindustry, this project focused on separating and purifying tannins, a high-value by-product generated during wood processing and cooking operations.

The project represents more than a waste management or treatment solution. It is a comprehensive example of biorefinery engineering, transforming by-products into high-value biochemical raw materials.

Technical Process and Biochemical Separation

The liquid phase generated during high-temperature thermal treatment and cooking of wood chips exhibits variable viscosity and a complex sediment composition.

Advanced Purification: Valuable tannins dissolved in the liquid phase were efficiently separated from solid particles, fibers, and unwanted micron-scale impurities using our high-speed decanter centrifuge technology.

Continuous Operation at High Temperatures: High-temperature process liquids from the cooking and pressing stages were processed using durable components designed for continuous-flow operation, ensuring uninterrupted production.

Key Deliverables and Added Value

Transforming Waste into Valuable Raw Materials: The liquid phase, which would otherwise be considered process waste under conventional operating conditions, was processed using our advanced centrifuge technology and converted into high-value, purified tannin, widely used in the leather, textile, food, and pharmaceutical industries.

Maximum Process Efficiency: A separation infrastructure designed for continuous operation and low operating costs was established through a specialized mechanical design suited to demanding, high-temperature operating conditions.

Circular Economy and Biorefinery Vision: By enabling the efficient utilization of natural resources, this application enhanced the facility’s sustainability performance and demonstrated our engineering capabilities in wood-based biorefinery processes.