Sustainability: part of our DNA

What is the origin of Unilin Panels? To answer that question, we need to go all the way back to the 1960s, to a few enterprising families in South West Flanders who were active in the flax industry. They had the idea to produce flax chipboards using flax shives – at the time this was a waste product that was simply incinerated. Talk about a circular mindset!

Due to the scarcity of flax and rising demand for panels, a switch was soon made to another renewable raw material: wood. That marked the beginning of the chipboard as we know it today, made from wood that is meanwhile 95% recycled.

Our Wood Revolutions through the years

From day one, we have consistently focused on innovation and investments in circular, sustainable solutions. We like to refer to these breakthroughs as ‘Wood Revolutions’: milestones that have made wood smarter and helped transform the entire industry.

The highlights? We’ve listed them for you.

1967 | Wood Revolution #1

Unilin becomes one of the first producers to use wood waste in the manufacture of sustainable panels.

1969 | Wood Revolution #2

Our very first pure chipboard is pressed, setting the tone for what is to come.

1994 | Wood Revolution #3

With the aid of our own recycling technology, we start converting wood waste into new chipboards.

2005 | Wood Revolution #4

With PEFC, our first certification for sustainable wood sourcing is obtained.

2010 | Wood Revolution #6

Clicwall is launched: a click-together, reusable wall system using the patented Uniclic technology.

2014 | Wood Revolution #9

Unilin obtains its second certification for sustainable wood sourcing: FSC.

2020 | Wood Revolution #16

Our biomass plant A&U is connected to the chipboard factory in Wielsbeke, allowing the site to run largely on renewable energy.

2021 | Wood Revolution #19

Unilin makes history with the development of a revolutionary MDF recycling technology. For the first time, MDF and HDF waste can be recycled on an industrial scale.

22 | Wood Revolution #21

Introducing Master Oak. Think real oak, but more scratch-resistant, colourfast and consistent in design.

2023 | Wood Revolution #25

Introduction of Fibralux Biobased, the world’s first biobased MDF board, made from 100% recovered wood and a revolutionary plant-based resin.