E-waste deal could transform rare earth metals recovery

Commercial-scale high value extraction of precious and base metals from used circuit boards is nearing reality following successful R&D work in this field.


Itrimex, a company specialising in technology for recovering metals from waste electronics printed circuit boards (PCBs), has signed a co-operation agreement with Belgian-based metal recycling and refining company Metallo-Chimique NV.

Metallo will work with Itrimex in an initial six-month development programme to optimise this technology and demonstrate its technical and commercial feasibility at mass production level.

A pilot plant using Itrimex’s technology is already in operation near Bromborough, Merseyside, and claims to represent a real advance in e-waste reprocessing coupled with a low carbon footprint.

Itrimex was established as joint venture between Ultromex and ITRI Innovation to commercialise the R&D work both companies had undertaken in response to growing legislative pressure, particularly in the European Union, to increase the recycling of end-of-life electronic scrap.

Maxine Perella

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