How are pcbs recycled: Facing the Challenges of E-Waste Head-on
The annual production of global e-waste has exceeded 62 million tons, of which printed circuit boards (PCBs) account for as much as 13-18%, and their complex structure (epoxy resins, glass fibers, and precious metals such as copper/gold) renders traditional recycling methods impotent. only 22.3% of e-waste will be properly recycled by 2022, and piles of discarded PCBs are continuing to release brominated flame retardants and heavy metal toxins.
But the proof is in the pudding: can PCBs be recycled? The answer is not just “yes”. The Indian Institute of Technology using supercritical methanol technology (350 ° C / 90 minutes) to achieve 96% resin degradation rate, copper recovery rate increased to 35.76%, methanol recycling rate of more than 90%; and the University of Washington's glass transition polymer PCB more 98% polymer and 100% glass fiber recycling rate, carbon emissions straight down 48%. These technological breakthroughs have torn open the cracks of the e-waste siege - PCBs how to recycle has been upgraded from an environmental proposition to a $62 billion resource battle.
How are PCBs recycled in practice depends on the material properties and target products. Industrial-grade operations follow a three-step rule:
1. Dismantling pre-processing
Manual or mechanical removal of high-value components such as capacitors and chips. ReneSola's patented sieving module automatically screens out iron-containing components through ferromagnetic separation technology to avoid manual picking errors.
2. Core Material Separation
Metal Enrichment: Wanrong Technology adopts eddy current pulverization and gravity sorting to achieve a metal recovery rate of more than 96%, with copper purity upgraded to 99%.
Resin degradation: Supercritical methanol converts brominated flame retardants into non-brominated phenols at a liquid-solid ratio of 20 mL/g, eliminating the generation of dioxins; rotary kiln pyrolysis (600°C + graded condensation) produces 22.4wt% liquid fuel.
3. High-value output
Non-metallic powders are surface-activated and pressed into logistics pallets and building profiles; recycled copper powder is supplied directly to the fireworks manufacturing industry. The closed loop of how PCBs can be recycled is realized here: a 3,000-tonne production line has been in stable operation in China.
For more professional PCBs recycling information, please go to our PCB recycling page and PCB product page.
Can PCBs be recycled? Most of the skepticism stems from the shortcomings of the traditional incineration/landfill method: lead and mercury infiltration into the soil, dioxin cancer risk, and waste of 60% of metal resources. But technological innovations are rewriting the answer:
Dissolvable substrates: Infineon's Soluboard degrades completely in 30 minutes in hot water at 90°C, electronic components are recycled without any damage, and carbon emissions are sharply reduced by 60% (10.5 kg of carbon per square meter).
Precious metal target recovery: copper captures gold/silver to form crude copper ingot in fire melting, and the precious metal recovery rate of Kaldor furnace processing complex boards is over 99%.
Pollution control: Wanrong Technology's fully enclosed negative pressure conveying + deodorizer spray tower makes the dust emission reach the national standard.
Can PCBs be recycled? The global recycling market of USD 736 million in 2025 has given economic corroboration - the key is in choosing the right technology route.
PCBs are classified into three categories according to the difficulty and value of recycling, and how are pcbs recycled needs to be treated:
1. Single/double-sided board (FR-4 type)
Glass fiber epoxy resin substrate is suitable for physical crushing and recycling. Soluboard and other plant-based PCBs are directly dissolved in hot water, the metal recycling rate is increased by 30%, and the organic residue can be composted. can PCBs be recycled? This type of technology is the most mature.
2. Multilayer PCBs (including BGA packages)
High precious metal content but complex flame retardant. Priority is given to fire melting (blast furnace + lime slagging) to extract copper and gold mixtures; supercritical methanol treatment can decompose the resin layer to release the inner layer of metals.
3. Flexible circuits (polyimide-based)
Pyrolysis temperature needs to be precisely controlled to 380-450°C to avoid cyanide generation; tertiary condensation system to recover light oils.
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