Top 5 Ways Soluboard® Reduces E-Waste

The rapid growth of e-waste has become a pressing global challenge, with millions of tonnes discarded each year. Traditional Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) play a significant role in this crisis due to their non-biodegradable materials and energy-intensive recycling processes. Enter Soluboard®: a ground-breaking solution that combines sustainability and performance to revolutionize PCB design and recycling.

In this article, we explore the environmental impact of traditional PCBs, how Soluboard® offers a sustainable alternative, and the top five ways it reduces e-waste.

Key Takeaways

• Traditional PCBs, while essential to electronics, contribute heavily to e-waste due to their non-biodegradable materials.
• Soluboard®, the world’s first biodegradable PCB laminate, offers a sustainable alternative with a 67% lower carbon footprint than FR-4 PCBs.
• Soluboard®’s water-solubility simplifies recycling, reduces toxic waste, and supports a circular economy in electronics manufacturing.
• By adopting Soluboard®, manufacturers can significantly reduce e-waste and align with global sustainability goals, including the European Green Deal.

What Are Traditional PCBs?

Traditional printed circuit boards (PCBs) are the backbone of the majority of electronic devices. They are usually manufactured from rigid materials such as FR4, a fibreglass-reinforced epoxy laminate. Despite offering a certain level of durability and thermal resistance, FR4 is ultimately non-biodegradable and hard to recycle.

Electronic waste is another concern. The fibreglass bulk material in these boards is not cost-effective to recycle. Metals such as copper and gold are easily recoverable and reusable. The substrate material remains a huge obstacle to sustainability.

The manufacturing process for traditional PCBs is an aspect that makes them considerably more harmful. With the help of photolithography techniques, copper circuits are mechanically etched onto the surface of the substrate. Although the process is efficient, it emits dangerous greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.

In fact, as much as 60% of the carbon footprint of PCBs comes from the manufacturing stage alone. Traditional PCBs are non-biodegradable, and instead accumulate in the environment. Unfortunately, they play a major role in the increasing global concern of e-waste within the electronics sector.

FR4’s non-recyclable nature and its emissions during production make a case for alternatives. Yet as global electronic waste continues to increase, the need for sustainable solutions to address these environmental challenges becomes more imperative than ever.

As we mentioned, traditional PCBs are typically made from FR-4, a fibreglass-reinforced epoxy laminate. While durable, these materials are:

• Non-biodegradable: They persist in the environment for decades, contributing to landfill waste.
• Energy-intensive to recycle: Current recycling methods involve incineration or acid leaching, both of which release harmful toxins.
• High carbon footprint: The manufacturing process generates 17.7 kg of CO₂ per square meter.

The increasing reliance on electronics and the short lifecycle of many devices exacerbate these issues, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable PCB alternatives.

What Is Soluboard®?

Developed by Jiva Materials, Soluboard® is a biodegradable PCB laminate made from renewable natural fibres and a water-soluble polymer. Designed to be an eco-friendly alternative to FR-4, Soluboard® addresses the limitations of traditional PCBs with:

• Water-Solubility: Dissolves in 90°C water, enabling easy recovery of components.
• Biodegradability: Materials decompose naturally, leaving no toxic residues.
• Reduced Carbon Footprint: Generates 7.1 kg of CO₂ per square meter, a 60% reduction compared to FR-4.

Soluboard® is compatible with standard PCB manufacturing processes, including etching, drilling, and low-temperature soldering, making it an accessible solution for manufacturers.

Top 5 Ways Soluboard® Reduces E-Waste

1. Streamlined Recycling with Water-Solubility

Traditional PCB recycling is complex, requiring toxic chemicals and high energy input. Soluboard® eliminates these inefficiencies by dissolving in hot water, separating components for reuse. This process:

• Preserves precious metals, increasing recovery rates by up to 50%.
• Reduces energy consumption and eliminates the need for harmful incineration.

2. Biodegradability and Compostability

Unlike traditional PCBs, which accumulate in landfills, Soluboard® is made from natural fibers and a water-soluble polymer. These materials:

• Decompose naturally, preventing pollution.
• Eliminate long-term waste buildup, supporting sustainable disposal practices.

3. Lower Carbon Footprint in Manufacturing

The production of Soluboard® significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions:

• 7.1 kg of CO₂ per square meter compared to 17.7 kg for FR-4.
• Uses renewable materials like flax fibers, reducing reliance on energy-intensive fiberglass.

4. Supporting a Circular Economy

Soluboard® promotes circularity by enabling the recovery and reuse of components:

• Valuable metals and electronic parts remain intact during recycling.
• Reduces demand for virgin materials, minimizing waste and supporting sustainable manufacturing.

5. Eliminating Hazardous Chemicals

Traditional PCBs use halogen-based flame retardants, which can leach toxins into the environment. Soluboard® replaces these with phosphorus-based, halogen-free flame retardants, ensuring:

• Safer production and disposal processes.
• Reduced environmental and human health risks.

Advantages of Soluboard®

• Versatility: Ideal for consumer electronics, IoT devices, and even medical applications.
• Compatibility: Works with standard PCB manufacturing methods, enabling easy adoption.
• Economic Benefits: Simplifies recycling, reducing costs associated with e-waste management.
• Environmental Impact: Supports global sustainability goals, including the European Green Deal.

Real-World Applications: Infineon’s Green Revolution

Leading semiconductor company Infineon Technologies has adopted Soluboard® for its demo and evaluation boards. By integrating this technology, Infineon is:

• Testing sustainable designs for consumer and industrial electronics.
• Aligning with the European Commission’s Green Deal to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
• Exploring the reusability of components recovered from Soluboard® boards, advancing circular economy principles.

“For the first time, a recyclable, biodegradable PCB material is being used in the design of electronics—a milestone towards a greener future,” says Andreas Kopp, Head of Product Management Discretes, Infineon.

Discover Sustainable Innovation: Infineon & Jiva Materials Collaboration on Soluboard®

In this insightful episode of #Podcast4Engineers, host Andreas Kopp is joined by Jack Herring, founder of Jiva Materials, to explore the groundbreaking partnership between Infineon Technologies and Jiva Materials. Together, they are revolutionizing the electronics industry with Soluboard®, the world’s first recyclable and biodegradable PCB laminate.

Challenges and Considerations

While Soluboard® represents a significant step forward, some challenges remain:

• Durability: Water-solubility limits its use in humid or outdoor environments.
• Cost: Initial production costs may be higher than traditional PCBs.
• Scaling Adoption: Manufacturers may need to adapt existing processes to accommodate the new material.

However, ongoing innovation and increasing demand for sustainable solutions are expected to address these challenges, making Soluboard® a viable alternative for a wide range of applications.

Conclusion

Soluboard® is transforming the electronics industry by offering a sustainable alternative to traditional PCBs. With its innovative water-soluble design, reduced carbon footprint, and biodegradable materials, Soluboard® is paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future.

By adopting Soluboard®, manufacturers can reduce e-waste, support a circular economy, and align with global sustainability goals. As the world faces mounting environmental challenges, solutions like Soluboard® provide a beacon of hope for the electronics industry.

For more information or to explore Soluboard’s applications, contact Steve Driver, CEO of Jiva Materials, at [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a water-soluble PCB?

A water-soluble PCB, or soluboard, is a circuit board composed of materials that dissolve in water. This makes disposal and recycling easy, eliminating toxic e-waste.

How do water-soluble PCBs help reduce e-waste?

They make recycling easier by being water soluble. This reduces the need for toxic chemicals, creating a safer and more sustainable process.

What are the benefits of using water-soluble PCBs?

Water-soluble, eco-friendly, and biodegradable, soluboards can help the electronics industry reduce dangerous toxic waste. They help to lower the cost and environmental risk of recycling.

Are water-soluble PCBs as durable as traditional PCBs?

They are indeed engineered to act like regular PCBs while in operation. They only dissolve when they encounter certain conditions, like water, when they are intended for disposal.

Can water-soluble PCBs be used in all electronics?

Not yet. They are ideally equipped for short-life or disposable electronics. Further advancements are required to increase their functionality.

How are water-soluble PCBs manufactured?

Their construction replaces fibreglass with a cellulose-based material. This biodegradable, water-soluble material is engineered to withstand wear-and-tear, yet to break down in advance of disposal.

What challenges exist for adopting water-soluble PCBs?

The main hurdles they face now are cost, scaling production, and achieving compatibility with a greater diversity of electronics. Additional studies are required to address these concerns.