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Purpose – The aim of the paper is to provide PCB fabricators with a top‐level understanding of the EC regulation for the registration, evaluation, restriction and authorization of chemicals (REACH) and to detail the implications for the sector now, and in the years ahead.Design/methodology/approach – The paper describes the REACH regulation and the potential implications of the legislation on the PCB manufacturing sector. It highlights the current lack of preparation on the part of the interconnect industry for the regulation and provides some recommended activities for PCB fabricators in order to help them comply with the regulation.Findings – A recent study on the readiness of the interconnect industry for REACH compliance revealed a worrying lack of preparation. This paper sets outs some of the activities that PCB fabricators should be undertaking to prepare for the regulation.Originality/value – The paper provides an overview of the implications of the EC REACH regulation for the activities of PCB fab...

PurposeThis paper aims to present a review carried out under DEFRA‐funded project WRT208, describing: the composition of WEEE, current treatment technologies, emerging technologies and research.Design/methodology/approachThis paper summarises the output from the first part of the project. It provides information on the composition of WEEE and an extensive survey of technologies relevant to materials recycling from WEEE. A series of further papers will be published from this research project.FindingsWEEE has been identified as one of the fastest growing sources of waste in the EU, and is estimated to be increasing by 16‐28 per cent every five years. Within each sector a complex set of heterogeneous secondary wastes is created. Although treatment requirements are complicated, the sources from any one sector possess many common characteristics. However, there exist huge variations in the nature of electronic wastes between sectors, and treatment regimes appropriate for one cannot be readily transferred to another.Research limitations/implicationsA very large number of treatment technologies are available, both established and emerging, that singly and in combination could address the specific needs of each sector. However, no single set of treatment methods can be applied universally.Originality/valueThis paper is the first part of work leading to the development of technical strategies and methodologies for reprocessing WEEE into primary and secondary products, and where possible the recovery of higher added‐value components and materials.

PurposeTo present an update and the latest results from work on a project aimed at enabling printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing to become more sustainable.Design/methodology/approachVarious individual treatment technologies were studied individually under laboratory conditions and then combined into a pilot‐scale demonstrator line that was used to process effluent from a nickel‐gold plating line in a PCB production environment.FindingsThe use of these novel processes, including special electroplating techniques, advanced oxidation methods and a new ion exchange system can be combined to give a more sustainable treatment process for effluent emanating from PCB manufacturing. The approach also generates high quality pure water that can be recycled and reused in the manufacturing process.Research limitations/implicationsThe combined technology has been demonstrated with a nickel‐gold plating line. Further development work should be undertaken to tailor the technology for other parts of the PCB manufacturing process.Originality/valueThe paper details how individual treatment technologies can be combined to enable a much more sustainable approach to PCB manufacturing which offers the benefits of reduced effluent levels and a source of high purity recycled water.

Background, Aims and Scope Automotive electrical and electronic systems (EES) comprise an area that has grown steadily in importance in the past decade and will continue to gain relevance in the foreseeable future. For this reason, the SEES project (Sustainable Electrical & Electronic System for the Automotive Sector) aims to contribute to cost-effective and eco-efficient EES components. Scenarios for the recovery of automotive EES are defined by taking into consideration the required improvements in EES design and the development and implementation of new technologies. The research project SEES is funded by the European Commission (Contract no. TST3-CT-2003-506075) within the Sixth Framework Programme, priority 6.2 (see 〈www.sees-project.net〉 for more information). This paper presents the findings of an assessment of the environmental and economic improvements for automotive EES from a system perspective, taking into account all life cycle steps.

PurposeTo present the initial results from a project recently undertaken by Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials Europe Ltd, in collaboration with a number of European partners, to develop individual elements of the traditional PCB manufacturing process towards a sustainable and zero‐discharge alternative.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents initial results from work aimed at enabling PCB manufacturing to become more sustainable. Novel processes evaluated include special electroplating techniques, advanced oxidation methods to remove organic contaminants, and new ion exchange systems. Work has been carried out to develop these processes into viable demonstrators and the results of progress to date are reported. Descriptions of how these individual technologies may be combined to provide an integrated approach to a more sustainable PCB manufacturing methodology are also given.FindingsInitial results indicate that a more sustainable PCB manufacturing process may be achieved by combining the use of organic and metal capture resins with advanced oxidation and electrochemical recovery technologies.Originality/valueThe value of the paper lies in its provision of information from a project that is integrating available treatment technologies in a novel approach that will take the PCB manufacturing process closer to a zero effluent discharge situation.

PurposeFocuses on, and provides a background of, the REACH Regulation, a new system of registration, evaluation and authorisation for chemicals.Design/methodology/applicationIn October 2003 The European Commission presented to the European parliament and the Council of the European Union (EU), a proposal for a Regulation that will radically reform Europe's existing chemical policy. The so‐called REACH Regulation will introduce a new system of Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation for Chemicals introduced on the EU market in volumes over 1 tonne per manufacturer per year. It will also establish a central Chemicals Agency to oversee the efficient operation of the new regulatory system. The implications of the draft Regulation on Europe's chemical manufacturers, importers, formulators and those sectors that either use or process chemicals, such as the electronics industry, will be manifold.FindingsDespite a number of concessions granted to the chemical industry following an internet consultation, there remain serious doubts over the workability of the system, as well as concerns over substantial product losses and fears over the competitiveness of Europe's chemical industry.Originality/valueThis paper sets out to provide a background to the proposed reforms and an outline of the main components of the REACH system as well as a summary of some of the likely key impacts on the PCB industry.

Twenty five litre plastic drums are widely used throughout industry and find application in the printed circuit board (PCB) and metal finishing sectors for the supply of process chemistry to manufacturers. These drums represent an important source of recyclable high density polyethylene since the containers are made of single polymer and constitute an easily recognisable waste stream that provides a homogeneous recyclate. This paper summarises some of the obstacles that have to date inhibited the recycling of the containers used in the PCB and related sectors. It also details work to identify a viable recycling pathway and describes a number of real applications in which the recyclate can be put to use. The issues of contamination that have prevented recycling of these containers are also discussed and plans to establish a proposed industrial cross‐sectoral recycling scheme are also outlined.

The European Commission (EC) has drafted a proposal for reforming the European Union's (EU) chemicals policy. The chemical industry has welcomed the broad political objectives of this policy, particularly those of increased protection of human health and the environment. The chemical industry also agrees that the existing process for chemicals regulation in the EU has proven to be slow and inefficient. However, it has reacted strongly to many of the finer details of the proposal, and there is a growing consensus that if the EC implements the strategy as currently outlined in the White Paper on the “Strategy for a Future Chemicals Policy” it will have very serious implications on the competitiveness of Europe's chemical industry and related sectors.

Outlines and comments on the waste electrical and electronic equipment and the restriction on the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment directives, which have recently become law.