Green Chemistry Electronics: Driving Sustainable Manufacturing

Electronics manufacturing is very resource-intensive, which means green chemistry electronics is coming to the fore. This guide examines the impact of electronics manufacturing on the environment and looks at how to implement sustainable electronics manufacturing using eco-friendly electronics chemicals and principles based on the circular economy. Read on to find out how to make your electronics production greener and more efficient.

Electronics manufacturing has a major impact on the environment. It involves mining of metals such as copper and gold, extracting minerals like lithium, using oil to create plastics, consuming vast amounts of energy and water, and utilising hazardous chemicals. These are just some of the factors that make electronics an industry where sustainability (or the lack of it) is a real problem.

Consider a few of the ways the sector is impacting the environment. Energy usage in the semiconductor industry has soared over the past decade, while the sector is also grappling with PFAS pollution – the contamination of the environment by a large group of synthetic chemicals like PFAS, which take an extraordinarily long time to break down. When it comes to waste from the electronics industry, recycling is lagging behind production of waste by a long way. Meanwhile, production of microchips not only sucks up huge volumes of energy and water but also creates large amounts of carbon emissions. The data centres that power the internet, AI, and operations of the tech giants also have a huge carbon footprint.

Overall, the combined contribution of electronics manufacturing and running the web has an impact comparable to a heavily polluting sector such as aviation. With all that in mind, it’s no wonder people are looking at ways of making the industry more environmentally friendly.

Is your electronics manufacturing sustainable? If you want to make it greener, you could start by thinking about:

• Reducing your carbon footprint. Can you switch to electricity that uses renewable sources?
• Using recycled materials in production
• Designing for the repair and reuse of devices
• Using safer chemicals (where green chemistry electronics come in)
• Exploring the use of biodegradable materials

Part of the solution when it comes to making the electronics industry more sustainable is green chemistry. The principles of green chemistry include using safer solvents and chemicals, employing recycled materials, designing for energy efficiency, using and generating non-toxic substances, preventing waste in the first instance, minimising the risk of accidents and fires, designing products that break down harmlessly in the environment, and reducing byproducts from processes. Want practical examples of how to do this? We’ve gathered examples of how to implement these strategies below.

If you’re aiming to make electronics manufacturing more sustainable, there are already numerous ways of employing eco-friendly electronics chemicals. They include:

Sustainable solvents and cleaners are used in the electronics industry to clean during production and remove contaminants such as dust and flux residues from soldering. Unlike traditional cleaners and solvents, sustainable versions feature low toxicity to people and ecosystems; low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), biodegradability or recyclability, and renewable sources of origin. For example, they avoid the use of traditional solvents such as trichloroethylene, which is toxic to humans, a VOC (meaning it contributes to smog), and can contaminate groundwater for decades.

For these reasons, trichloroethylene has largely been replaced in electronics manufacturing by aqueous cleaning systems (such as deionised water with mild detergent) or bio-based solvents such as ethyl lactate (based on corn fermentation) or d-Limonene (based on citrus peel). Sustainable cleaners and solvents tend to meet the demands of legislation such as RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances, a European Union directive that restricts the use of certain hazardous materials in electronic and electrical equipment), and REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals, another EU scheme).

Biodegradable materials for electronics can be used to make casings, conductors, and substrates, among many other items. For example, there are cellulose nano-fibres on the market used to make films for printed circuits. Plastics made from corn and sugar cane are also used in 3D-printed electronics housings. There are also biodegradable polyesters available that degrade naturally in soil and can be used for insulation. It’s possible to make conductors out of carbon nanotubes or conductive polymers that biodegrade, replacing the use of metals, while the silk from silkworm cocoons can be used in implantable electronics. The environmental benefits of biodegradable materials include the reduction of waste and prevention of the accumulation of microplastics in the environment. Components may also be based on renewable feedstocks.

Reduced VOC formulations reduce the amount of volatile organic compounds compared to traditional types of products such as adhesives, paints, solvents, and cleaners. VOCs such as formaldehyde and benzene contribute to air pollution and can cause health problems. Reduced VOC formulations are defined as having lower VOC content than conventional products. They may use water-based or bio-based ingredients. Benefits include improved air quality and a reduction in the possibility of harm to workers.

Halogen-free alternatives are plastics or flame retardants that do not feature halogen elements such as chlorine, fluorine, or iodine. These substances produce hazardous gases when they combust, persist for a long time in the environment, and are regulated by schemes such as RoHS and REACH. Alternatives to using halogen elements for electronics include halogen-free printed circuit board laminates based on materials such as organophosphates. Halogen-free cables may use metal hydroxides, meanwhile. Silicone-based materials are also used as coatings and encapsulants to provide flame resistance without the use of halogens.

Some electronics manufacturers are embracing circular economy principles. The circular economy can be defined as an economy where waste is eliminated altogether and resources are continually reused. Products and materials are recovered and regenerated, and designed with durability, recyclability, and repairability in mind. Products should be designed to be used for as long as possible under circular economy principles.

As the example of the electronics industry shows, the scale of the challenge is huge when it comes to sustainable manufacturing, but the opportunities are also vast. They include:

• Reduced energy use, which lowers operational costs
• Waste minimisation, cutting costs related to materials
• Water consumption reduction, cutting utility bills
• Innovation and the chance to stand out in the market
• Regulatory compliance
• Improved brand reputation

As a responsible supplier, companies like RS have a huge role to play in the green transition. We can help by providing products that meet the latest regulatory standards while also helping customers to reduce their impact on the environment. We are also implementing circular economy principles in our own supply chain. Learn more about our vision for a more sustainable world.

Despite some formidable challenges, the future of responsible electronics is firmly within our grasp. Part of the effort involves embracing the challenge of using green chemistry and safer solvents, chemicals, and cleaners. We must both design for recycling and make use of renewable and sustainable feedstocks in manufacturing. Toxic substances should be replaced with materials that are kinder to the environment and humankind. Products should be designed to last and minimise energy consumption. Biodegradable options should also be considered to reduce waste and avoid the release of hazardous materials into the environment. And we must take steps to reduce the carbon footprint of manufacturing operations by using renewable sources of energy.

By taking these steps, electronics can play their part in fighting climate change and environmental degradation while reducing pollution and conserving resources. In short, responsible electronics can be an enabler of the kind of future the next generations on this planet deserve.

Want to find sustainable alternatives to cleaning products? Explore our range of electronics cleaners.