Recycling of lignocellulosic fibers from fiberboards

A process for recycling lignocellulosic fibers from a fiberboard comprising compressed lignocellulosic fibers bonded together by a binding agent, the process comprising the steps of:

• disintegrating the fiberboard to provide fiberboard pieces;
• steaming the fiberboard pieces in a steaming vessel by introducing steam into the steaming vessel to expose the fiberboard pieces to steam at a pressure of 1.1 to 10 bar absolute pressure and at a temperature of 103° C. to 180° C. to decompress and release the lignocellulosic fibers by hydrating them, as well as hydrolyzing the binding agent, wherein the moisture content of the fiberboard pieces to be steamed does not exceed 30% based on the dry weight of the fiberboard pieces;
• releasing the overpressure;
• removing excess water vapor to provide portions comprising released lignocellulosic fibers, wherein the moisture content in the portions comprising released lignocellulosic fibers is 15 to 30% based on the dry weight of the portions;
• and
• separating the lignocellulosic fibers in the portions comprising released lignocellulosic fibers to provide recycled lignocellulosic fibers.