Advancements in Tin Recovery From Scrap Printed Circuit Boards - Seite 2

87.7

Average

5.57

1.06

84.2

The lab-scale research produced a tin oxide product which was sent to a tin refiner for detailed analysis and confirmation of the product's suitability for refining and sale. The next stage of this research is the development of a pilot scale plant to perform bulk tests on a variety of PCBA based concentrates to determine final process engineering and assess economics.

In combination with Enviroleach's existing technology, the potential to recover tin could give the EnviroLeach process for processing scrap PCBAs a significant economic advantage over other processing alternatives. EnviroLeach's current scrap PCBA processing technology extracts valuable metals from the PCBAs while reducing the volume of material sent to smelters. The reduced role of smelters results in significantly lower downstream processing charges, higher metal payments, and reduced environmental impact. The recovery and sale of tin would create further potential for increased operating margins.

Tin Use in Electronics and Price

Tin is widely used in the manufacture of electronic components and PCBAs, primarily in solders. Increased tin demand is out pacing supply due to it supply constraints as well as broader use in new technologies and global electrification applications. Recent upward price movement supports the understanding of the metal's long term, enhanced value and metal prices is now at ten-year highs. While demand will be satisfied by virgin metal sources, ethical sourcing is becoming a critical issue. Recycled tin is also highly compelling as a trackable, ethical source of tin which can be integrated with circular economy principles manufactures and OEMs are adopting.

Duane Nelson, CEO of EnviroLeach states, "This marks a pivotal breakthrough for the entire electronics sector. The cost-effective recovery of tin from scrap PCBAs has been a long-sought-after industry goal. This breakthrough technology could now lead to a significant secondary source for this critical and strategic metal. We are proud to be a part of this important step toward a new entrant to the electronics circular economy".