Cutting-Edge Technology Delivers 95% Metal Recovery Rate from E-waste

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): A new recycling process claims to be capable of recovering 95% of critical metals from electronic waste stream, as compared with the current recovery rates of 70-80%. The €1.4 million recycling research project, named RecEOL, is being launched by Ireland’s University College Cork (UCC). The project aims to tackle global e-waste problem by achieving significant reduction in the amount of valuable materials being thrown away. The project is co-funded by Ireland’s Environmental Protection Agency and Geological Survey, Ireland.

The research project makes use of two patented recycling processes developed locally. The basic recycling technology was developed by Dr Frank Riedewald, Composite Recycling Ltd., Cork in collaboration with Dr Maria Sousa Gallagher, School of Engineering and the Environmental Research Institute of UCC.

The patented printed circuit board (PCB) recycling process by Composite Recycling Ltd. treats input with nitrogen. It uses molten salt at extremely high temperatures to recover valuable metals such as copper, aluminum, steel, indium, tantalum etc. This is the first recycling technology of its kind capable of capturing critical and technology metals such as indium and tantalum. The recovery of metals takes only about 15 minutes.

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The recycling technology is capable of treating a wide variety of products including LCD screens, batteries and automobile shredder residue.

The objective of the project is to test the viability of the technology by implementing it in a pilot project. The success of the pilot is expected to lead to commercialization of the technology by way of construction of a full-fledged recycling plant that completely incorporates the above technology.

Speaking at the project launch ceremony, Dr Maria Sousa Gallagher noted that the project will provide the necessary scientific evidence that the project works. Dr Frank Riedewald also noted that it will provide market evidence for the commercialization of the technology.