Circular Electronics

The electrification and digitalization of everyday life are leading to a rapidly growing volume of electronic waste (e-waste): since 2010, the global amount of e-waste has doubled to 62 million tons in 2022 – a trend that is becoming increasingly unsustainable, yet also harbours significant economic potential and touches on aspects of European autonomy with regard to materials. A major contributor are printed circuit boards (PCBs), which account for 3–6% of total e-waste by mass and are currently disposed of predominantly through landfilling or incineration.

The MAPEX project "Circular Electronics" addresses this challenge through the development of fully circular materials and assemblies. Through the close integration of chemistry, engineering, electrical engineering, and innovation management, circular printed circuit boards, organic semiconductors, and sensor systems are developed, tested, and optimized for reusability. Key areas of focus include novel dynamic polymer networks (vitrimers), which can be broken down into their basic building blocks during recycling, as well as biosynthetic high-performance fibres. Drawing on empirical methods, innovative strategies are developed and tested that enable researchers to leverage the freedom of fundamental research while simultaneously delivering concrete, short-term applicable results – such as use cases and circular business models – potentially involving industry and society. Through its interdisciplinary approach, "Circular Electronics" makes a significant contribution towards a more circular electronics industry.