Economical tertiary recycling: Process for mixtures of electronic scrap

Adherent Technologies is developing a novel low-temperature catalytic conversion process for tertiary recycling of electronic scrap. This process will handle complex mixtures of plastics, metals, ceramics, and composites found in electronic assemblies. Products from the process include valuable chemicals, metals, ceramics, and fiberglass that can be refined and reused. Operation and maintenance of the process requires a minimum labor force. Little or no segregation is required for the feedstock before processing, thus reducing labor costs and dramatically increasing the economics of the process. We estimate that at least 2 million tons of electronic scrap is landfilled in the US each year. That figure is expected to rise significantly over time. The catalytic conversion process under development will provide an economical and environmentally conscious solution to the problem of recycling electronic scrap.