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38 TECHNOLOGY MAR/APR 2025 FDM ASIA | www.fdmasia.com
extent to which the linear flow is reduced and the restorative
flow is maximised for the materials comprising it.
It also considers the duration and intensity of its use
compared to similar products manufactured on an industrial
scale.
The MCI was utilised to quantify the circularity of the
proposed products in Scenarios 1, 2, and 3. The MCI
The studied scenarios include the use of uncoated boards takes into account the amount of virgin raw material (V)
of medium-density fibreboard (MDF), produced with 20 percent used in manufacturing, the amount of irrecoverable waste
w/w of wood waste; uncoated boards of medium-density (W) associated with the product and the utility factor (X)
particleboard (MDP), with 20 percent w/w of wood waste which considers the duration (lifespan) and intensity of use
incorporation; production of solid ceramic brick with 11 percent (functional units).
w/w wood of waste incorporation; and heat production in
ceramic industries (current practice) and disposal in landfills. SWOT Matrix
Furthermore, the products and the energy generation were The SWOT matrix (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and
compared with the predominant scenarios in the market that threats) is a strategic planning tool that aims to diagnose
utilises virgin sources. the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the
Regarding the percentages of recycled materials, some object under analysis.
studies have adopted up to 100 percent recycled material for Initially formulated for the field of administration, this matrix
the manufacture of MDF and MDP. However, other authors has been applied in various fields, including research in the
have stated that for MDF, a replacement of 33 percent of field of solid waste management.
fresh fibres by recycled fibres resulted in a decrease in the The tool is typically employed to conduct scenario
physical and mechanical properties of the boards. analysis, aiming to compile all information into a matrix and
The Brazilian study by Teixeira highlights that with a 20 thus facilitate the visualisation of the characteristics involved
percent proportion of recycled material, new MDP boards can in the study.
be produced without changing technology or compromising In this research, Scenarios 1, 2, and 3 were studied,
their quality. which were intended for the incorporation of WW as a raw
Pinho et al. found that scenarios that included wood material in the manufacturing processes of MDF, MDP, and
waste as a raw material for manufacturing products appeared ceramic brick.
promising. Therefore, this study focused on three projected The strengths and weaknesses in the internal environment
scenarios for the production of MDF, MDP, and ceramic brick. of the panel factory and the ceramic industry, which will
Subsequently, the calculation of the circularity indicator utilise WW as a raw material, are analysed. The strengths are
for the products was performed for the Scenarios 1, 2, and variables that provide favourable conditions for integrating the
3, which were analysed using the SWOT matrix. product into the company’s portfolio.
The opportunities are listed, considering external factors
Circular Indicator that can enhance the industrialisation of the proposed product.
The Material Circularity Indicator (MCI) was developed to quantify External conditions, understood as difficulties, are considered
the circularity of products individually. The MCI expresses the threats to the manufacturing of the studied products.

