Within the 64 innovation initiatives implemented by MDF VRG Kiên Giang Joint Stock Company, two technical breakthroughs from the company’s Research and Development (R&D) team at the Quality Management Department have drawn particular attention for their effectiveness in reducing raw-material consumption and addressing input wood shortages for the factory.
Reducing Adhesive Consumption in Engineered Wood Panel Production
Recognizing customer demand for lower product prices, the R&D team focused on cost-cutting measures, particularly by optimizing adhesive usage — a key input in engineered wood manufacturing.
By refining production parameters such as panel moisture content, fiber coarseness, and adhesive dosing, the team established an optimal control process that ensures high-quality output while minimizing waste.
Applying this method to several product lines — including HMR E2 17.0 mm, HMR 6.0 mm, HMR 9.0 mm, HDF HMR 17.0 mm, and HMR 15.0 mm — reduced adhesive consumption by 8–10 kg/m³ of board, translating into cost savings of VND 100,000 – 165,000 per m³.
Reformulating Wood Mixtures to Overcome Raw-Material Shortages
In Q2 2022, the company faced a severe shortage of hybrid acacia wood, the main raw material for producing HMR E2 17.0 mm boards. Meanwhile, the plant’s melaleuca wood stockpiles remained abundant, and eucalyptus supply was declining.
Data showed monthly hybrid-acacia input met only 70% (9,200 / 12,000 tons) of production needs, while eucalyptus covered 93% (4,000 / 4,300 tons).
To solve this, the R&D team developed a new formula blending three wood types — eucalyptus, melaleuca, and hybrid acacia — at a revised ratio. The initial formula (75% acacia + 25% eucalyptus) was replaced with a 50% acacia + 50% mix (2 parts melaleuca : 1 part eucalyptus).
This adjustment not only alleviated input shortages but also reduced panel swelling from 5.75% to 5.2%, yielding a more stable board structure while maintaining mechanical strength and quality.
Innovation Sustains Growth Amid Market Challenges
By promptly adopting technical innovations, MDF VRG Kiên Giang successfully overcame raw-material constraintsand achieved positive business results in 2022.
In 2023, the company plans to continue developing new technical solutions for advanced product lines such as:
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HDF CARB 20.0 mm (ultra-fine fiber), and
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LMR E2 17.0 mm (new moisture-resistant panel).
These efforts aim to enhance production capacity, increase processing efficiency, and meet growing market demand, ensuring the company continues to fulfill its performance targets.