A critical review on reuse potentials of wood waste for innovative products and applications: trends and future challenges

Abstract

This study conducts a systematic review of the scientific literature to understand the main trends related to wood waste reuse in the production of innovative and sustainable materials and products, in light of the Circular Economy approach and the Sustainable Development Goals. The main objective is to fill the existing gaps in the literature, outline possible future challenges, and initiate a new phase of experimentation on innovative bio-composite products. Using the Scopus database and applying the software VOSviewer and mySLR, a selected number of papers were analysed to identify trends and areas of interest in the management, valorisation, and reuse of wood waste in various industrial fields. The research mainly considers products that are both tested and in the experimental phase, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to waste management and proposing the adoption of strategies such as the "6R" principles (reduce, reuse, recycle, recover, redesign, and regenerate). The bibliometric analysis, and a deep analysis of selected studies, revealed a growing interest in the use of wood waste in long-term applications, such as construction, bio-fuels, energy, and biocomposite materials, offering novel opportunities to promote sustainability, waste management, and reduce the environmental impact associated with this waste.