FAQs.

Soluboard® is the world’s first fully recyclable PCB substrate, offering reduced carbon levels and an alternative end-of-life solution for OEMs. Soluboard® PCBs can be dissolved in hot water to recover electronic components more efficiently for recycling or reuse compared to incumbent glass-fibre and epoxy rigid alternatives. Please contact us if you are interested in seeing our Technical Data Sheet/Design Guidelines/Environmental Credentials.

The primary ingredient in Soluboard® is a natural fibre with a reduced carbon footprint compared to glass-fibres. The natural fibre is combined with a non-hazardous water-soluble polymer and a halogen-free flame retardant, all of which are non-toxic and biodegradable. The organic structure of Soluboard® can be composted and the electronic components can be recycled or repurposed.

The polymer used in Soluboard® is designed to dissolve when immersed in hot water for a sustained period of time. Despite this novel end-of-life solution, Soluboard® can be processed through industry standard aqueous processes. Soluboard® has been engineered to withstand ambient humidities and Jiva is validating the humidity resistance with the support of the University of Portsmouth.

We have a Technical Data Sheet and Design Guidelines that we are happy to share. Please reach out if you would like to see these.

Jiva’s Soluboard® is available as a Copper Clad Laminate (CCL) for use with industry standard PCB fabricators. It is fully compatible with processes including acid/alkaline etching, electroplating, drilling, routing and curing. Soluboard® PCBs are then assembled using low-temperature solder. Soluboard® is also available as bare laminate for use in printed electronics applications.

Bulk quantities of assembled Soluboard® PCBs will dissolve in 90°C water with within 30 – 120 minutes depending on the complexity of the boards. Both SMT and THT components can be removed and reused in certain applications once refurbished. For the materials that cannot be reused, water-based recycling will reduce losses of precious metals typically caused by incineration processes. The wastewater from the Soluboard® recycling process has been classified as non-hazardous by Envirochem Analytical Laboratories (UK).

The raw materials of our natural fibres, biodegradable polymer and halogen-free flame retardant contributes significantly to the reduction in the carbon footprint of a Soluboard® PCB compared to an incumbent FR-4 PCB. The carbon footprint of one square metre of Soluboard® PCB is estimated to be 5.52kg versus 16.94kg for an FR-4 PCB. This equates to a carbon footprint reduction of 67% overall. These numbers have been calculated with the support of the University of Portsmouth.

Whilst Jiva intends for Soluboard® PCBs to be recycled using our novel water-based process, it is likely that some of Jiva’s material will be recycled using the industry standard infrastructure i.e. shredding and incineration. Jiva has received confirmation from e-waste handlers and refiners that there will be no impact on the existing shredding and incineration process used to recycle glass-fibre and epoxy PCBs.

Jiva is currently working with electronics manufacturers to demonstrate the utility of Soluboard® for existing PCB designs in customer portfolios. Under NDA, our customers provide us with access to their design files so that we can produce batches of PCBs for testing alongside their existing PCBs.

Jiva has developed a network of partners that allows us to supply Soluboard® PCBs or PCBAs manufactured and assembled in the UK and Europe.

We work with a broad range of customers in various sectors with technical requirements from single-sided boards through to two-layer PTH designs. If you are interested in trialling Soluboard®, we ask that you share some details about your proposed application and your technical PCB requirements with us.

We are always on the lookout for new partners to help further develop our product portfolio. Please reach out via our Contact Form or at [email protected] and we can take it from there!