Developing the world's first biodegradable printed circuit board

This funding will support their joint effort to further develop and bring to market the world's first biodegradable printed circuit boards (PCBs). This initiative aims to tackle the escalating issue of electronic waste (e-waste) and present a sustainable solution to the environmental problems caused by the disposal of electronic products.

Globally, electronics are a significant contributor to waste. On average, each individual produces 7.5Kg of electronic waste every year. In the UK alone, over 2 million tonnes of e-waste are generated annually, with PCBs estimated to constitute 8% of this total.

For over 70 years, the majority of electronic circuit boards have been produced using a glass fibre epoxy laminate, commonly incorporating a persistent organic pollutant as the flame retardant. At their end of life, less than 50% of electronic waste is properly collected and recycled. If the content of precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum is too low, these materials are either shredded and landfilled or incinerated.

Jiva Materials has developed a new laminate named Soluboard to replace the traditional glass fibre epoxy laminate. This innovation is expected to yield two key benefits: significantly lowering CO2 emissions and reducing the £8 billion worth of critical minerals that are landfilled each year.

The collaboration will involve Professor Hom Dhakal and his team from the School of Mechanical and Design Engineering at the University’s Faculty of Technology. They will test and characterise the properties of natural fibres such as jute, flax, and hemp, exploring their potential as laminate materials.

The KTP is designed to accelerate the development and commercialisation of advanced versions of Soluboard suitable for use in sophisticated electronics.

Dr Jonathan Swanston, CEO of Jiva Materials, commented: “We are thrilled to collaborate with the University of Portsmouth and especially Professor Dhakal and his team. This partnership aligns with our vision of reducing the environmental impact of electronic devices. Jiva Materials has been at the forefront of creating materials that are both sustainable and functional. The University’s expertise in developing natural fibre laminates make them the perfect partner for Jiva.”

Professor Hom Dhakal, Head of Advanced Polymers and Composites Research Group at the University of Portsmouth and academic lead for the project, stated: “The University of Portsmouth delights in creating, sharing, and applying knowledge to make a difference to individuals and society. We have a strong research and innovation focus on sustainability and the environment, as well as future and emerging technologies. This collaborative KTP project with Jiva Materials, wonderfully suits a mutually prioritised goal of working together towards achieving a sustainability agenda. We believe that the experience gained from this partnership will significantly contribute towards delivering more sustainable materials and increased circularity in the sector by combating the problem of e-waste.”

Stephen Woodhouse, Knowledge Transfer Advisor for the project, elaborated on the benefits of this collaboration: “The knowledge and skills embedded by this new KTP collaboration will enable Jiva Materials to scale-up and grow their business at pace, whilst simultaneously achieving technical novelty and greater efficacy through access to world-class research expertise. I’m confident that the collaboration with the team at the University of Portsmouth will provide a firm foundation for a series of exciting future innovations by the business. I’m delighted Innovate UK KTN were able to help convene this partnership and to support the development of their successful grant application. I look forward to providing guidance throughout the life of the project and beyond.”