| Abstract Title: | Enabling the recycling of technology critical elements from e-waste through metrology research |
| Presenter Name: | Ms Sarah Hill |
| Co-authors: | Mr John Entwisle Mr Christian Ward-Deitrich Mr Ahmad Abukashabeh Mr Stanislav Strekopytov Ms Heidi Goenaga-Infante |
| Company/Organisation: | National Measurement Laboratory, LGC |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
Abstract Information :
Technology Critical Elements (TCEs) are essential for use in mobile phones, laptops, energy efficient lighting and new green technologies including electric vehicles (EV) and wind turbines. These ‘unusual’ elements such as gallium, indium and lithium along with precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum, have unique properties, making them difficult to replace with alternatives. Due to their low natural abundance, limitations/interruptions to supplies and high demand, the UK and Europe primarily relies upon imports of TCEs. Additionally, the urban mine has an estimated value of $12.9b in Europe. One mechanism to achieve sustainability and support the Circular Economy Agenda is through recovery of metals from recycling waste electronic goods.
Currently there is a lack of validated analytical methods and suitable reference materials to support the recycling industry. Furthermore, the waste consists of a huge variety of materials, e.g. metal, glass, plastics, ceramics etc and is heterogeneous across tonnes, leading to challenges for sample preparation and analysis. The European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR) has funded the MetroCycleEU project which has been addressing these measurement challenges to support the recycling industry.
This presentation will highlight the advances in metrology research as well as the challenges associated with the accurate determination of TCEs in complex samples. The project has first focussed on printed circuit boards, lithium ion batteries and LEDs. The output and impact will provide much needed support, training and reference materials to enable recycling companies to achieve reliable data to ensure the optimal recycling methods are selected for maximum recovery of TCEs from e-waste.
