On Monday, the CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML) in Jamshedpur signed a landmark agreement with M/s Eyantram Waste Management Private Limited, Visakhapatnam. Under this collaboration, an e-waste recycling plant will be established through technology transfer which will specialise in processing waste printed circuit boards to recover valuable metals like aluminium (Al), copper (Cu) and gold (Au).
Under this agreement, Eyantram Waste Management Private Limited will adopt the "Zero Waste" concept to reduce environmental pressure and enhance waste collection and disposal by bringing order to the unorganised sector. The eco-friendly technology will ensure proper waste management, contributing to a cleaner environment. Additionally, it will create job opportunities for unemployed youth and support the organisation of informal waste management units. Municipal bodies will also have the option to collaborate with the company for efficient waste disposal.
This sustainable approach not only minimises environmental pollution but also prevents soil contamination caused by industrial waste and sewage. The technology transfer involves a step-by-step process, starting with the mechanical pre-treatment of waste PCBs to produce a metal concentrate.
The metals are then extracted using leaching with suitable lixiviants, followed by purification through solvent extraction and evaporation or electro-winning techniques. This process effectively recovers high-purity metals and salts. The resulting products, including gold (Au), copper (Cu), and aluminium (Al), achieved exceptional purity levels, with salts exceeding 98.5% and metals reaching over 99.99 per cent.
The team played a crucial role in completing the required documentation and formalising the transfer of this innovative technology. Eyantram Waste Management Private Limited will now utilise NML's technology to process and dispose of waste printed circuit boards. With this advancement, India will join other developed nations like China, Japan, the United States, and South Korea in effectively managing e-waste. CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML) has already established its expertise in e-waste disposal technology at both national and international levels.
Mr Aashish Lohia said, "I am very excited to be part of this transformative initiative, bringing CSIR-NML's PCBs recycling technology to the forefront of e-waste management in India. It is our goal to create a pollution-free society while ensuring the preservation of precious natural resources for future generations".
This technology will enable efficient e-waste disposal while recovering precious non-ferrous metals. The establishment of such companies will create job opportunities for educated unemployed individuals, while municipal bodies can also benefit from this initiative for effective waste management.
Dr Sandip Ghosh Chowdhury, Director of NML, Jamshedpur, added, "NML has transferred many Indigenous technologies to Indian companies and hopes that in future we will enter into more and more tie-ups to make India an e-waste-free society."
The growing generation of waste PCBs poses a significant environmental concern, making proper disposal and metal recovery essential to prevent contamination from toxic substances due to high metallic concentrations. Traditional, unregulated recycling methods often result in the loss of valuable metals and the release of harmful pollutants into the environment. By implementing NML's eco-friendly technology, Eyantram offers a sustainable solution for efficiently recovering precious metals like gold (Au), copper (Cu), and aluminium (Al) from waste PCBs.
The PCB recycling sector holds remarkable potential to strengthen the national economy and generate employment opportunities. In the future, this technology can be scaled up for small-scale and cottage industries, making it accessible to a wider population. The process involves using chemical reagents, conducted under stringent safety protocols. Protective measures, including gloves, safety glasses, and masks, are strictly followed to ensure the safety and well-being of the workers.
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