The startup develops eco-friendly circuit boards using sustainable natural fibers that significantly lower carbon emissions compared to traditional glass-based materials. This technology enables the electronics industry to produce products with a smaller carbon footprint, addressing the urgent need for improved waste management and sustainability in electronic manufacturing.
Funding
$2.7M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Traditional printed circuit boards (PCBs) made from glass-fiber and epoxy contribute significantly to carbon emissions during manufacturing and are difficult to recycle, leading to substantial electronic waste and environmental pollution. Current PCB disposal methods, such as shredding and incineration, are energy-intensive, costly, and result in the loss of valuable precious metals.
Solution
Jiva Materials offers Soluboard®, a fully recyclable and biodegradable PCB substrate made from natural fibers, a water-soluble polymer, and a halogen-free flame retardant. Soluboard® reduces carbon emissions by up to 67% compared to conventional FR-4 PCBs. At the end of its life, Soluboard® can be dissolved in hot water, enabling the recovery of natural fibers, copper, and electronic components for reuse or recycling. This water-based recycling process minimizes precious metal losses and produces non-hazardous wastewater.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes electronics manufacturers seeking sustainable materials to reduce their carbon footprint and improve end-of-life processing of PCBs, as well as WEEE processors looking for more efficient recycling methods.
Features
- Soluboard® copper clad laminate (CCL) compatible with standard PCB fabrication processes, including etching, electroplating, drilling, and routing
- Suitable for double-sided PCBs with plated through-hole (PTH) technology
- Halogen-free flame retardant achieving a UL94 V1 equivalent rating
- Reduced carbon footprint of 5.52kg per square meter compared to 16.94kg for FR-4 PCBs
- Density of 1.35g per cubic centimeter, resulting in a mass saving of over 1kg per square meter compared to FR-4
- Dissolves in 90°C water within 30-120 minutes for efficient component recovery
- Compatible with existing waste processes, causing no impact on current shredding and incineration methods
- Protected by an international PCT application, covering the composite structure, manufacturing method, and use as a PCB laminate