Life Cycle Assessment of Wood-Based Panels Considering Recycling Potential in Circular Construction

Wood-based panels (WBPs) are increasingly important in sustainable and circular construction due to their renewable origin, efficient use of wood residues, and recycling potential. With global WBP production reaching approximately 366 million m3 annually, evaluating the environmental impacts associated with their production has become increasingly important. This study presents a systematic literature review of life cycle assessment research on particleboard, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), oriented strand board (OSB), and plywood using a PRISMA-based methodology and the Web of Science database. A total of 22 peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2025 were comparatively analyzed in terms of system boundaries, environmental indicators, recycling approaches, and production hotspots.

The reviewed studies showed that MDF generally exhibits the highest environmental impacts, with reported carbon footprint values of approximately 500–600 kg CO2e/m3 due to energy-intensive fiber refining and drying processes. In contrast, OSB and plywood demonstrated comparatively lower carbon footprints ranging between 190–220 kg CO2e/m3 and 100–150 kg CO2e/m3, respectively, while particleboard typically ranged between 300–400 kg CO2e/m3 owing to more efficient raw material utilization and lower processing energy requirements. Adhesive production and thermal drying were consistently identified as the dominant environmental hotspots across panel types. These variations are also influenced by regional energy mixes, resin systems, and methodological assumptions.

Overall, the review highlights the importance of recycling pathways, cascading utilization, and methodological consistency in supporting circular wood-based panel production systems with lower environmental impacts.