380
N. F. Nissen et al.
economic and legal drivers. Removal of batteries is one such legal driver in many
parts of the world, while automated disassembly for circular economy services could
be the larger economic driver. When even small devices are opened at end-of-life
instead of being shredded, these additional options start to come into play.
For smartphones specifically the accessibility within an already open device could
be improved through design, processing and better data provision. The vibration alerts
containing the tungsten are often lightly glued to a midframe or backcover cavity in
many designs. This already allows approaches to remove the vibration alert assembly
with a small vacuum sucker. Automation would seem possible, if the glues are indeed
selected not too strong.
Similarly, for neodymium, easy access to the loudspeakers is essential. These
components are integrated typically already as a sub-module, which eases separation.
Achieving higher tantalum concentrations would require desoldering of all such
capacitors. For an automatic desoldering it would be beneficial to place all tantalum
capacitors on the same side, preferably on the same side as ICs potentially desoldered
for reuse, and not covered under a soldered shield or shielding frame. Color coding,
such as the orange or ochre coloring formerly used for almost all tantalum capacitors
might ease the identification of target components, but building up a database with
the location of tantalum capacitors would serve a similar purpose. Such information
would have to be made available to automated desoldering stations placed in a large
number of locations.
From an environmental viewpoint reuse of the assemblies or components would
be preferable to the material recycling, but standards for long term reuse are unlikely
to emerge.
Separating tungsten, tantalum and neodymium containing components as a separate activity at end-of-life of small devices is not economic; therefore it cannot
be driven by straightforward economic reasoning. Keeping critical resources and
conflict minerals in use is however already perceived as valuable for some industry
players looking beyond the costs of sourcing the material.
Acknowledgements The project sustainably SMART has received funding from the European
Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 680640.
References
Apple (2019) Environmental responsibility report https://www.apple.com/environment/pdf/Apple_
Environmental_Responsibility_Report_2019.pdf
Böni H, Wäger P, Figi R (2015) Rückgewinnung von kritischen Metallen wie Indium und Neodym
aus Elektronikschrott am Beispiel von Indium und Neodym, Schlussbericht, p 10
Burkhardt C (2019) OBE Ohnmacht und Baumgärtner GmbH & Co. Berlin, KG, Personal Interview
Chancerel P, Meskers CEM, Hagelüken C, Rotter VS (2009) Assessment of precious metal flows
during preprocessing of waste electrical and electronic equipment. J Ind Ecol 13(5):791–810
Gilerman R (2019) Tantalum recycling. Personal Interview, Berlin
N. F. Nissen et al.
economic and legal drivers. Removal of batteries is one such legal driver in many
parts of the world, while automated disassembly for circular economy services could
be the larger economic driver. When even small devices are opened at end-of-life
instead of being shredded, these additional options start to come into play.
For smartphones specifically the accessibility within an already open device could
be improved through design, processing and better data provision. The vibration alerts
containing the tungsten are often lightly glued to a midframe or backcover cavity in
many designs. This already allows approaches to remove the vibration alert assembly
with a small vacuum sucker. Automation would seem possible, if the glues are indeed
selected not too strong.
Similarly, for neodymium, easy access to the loudspeakers is essential. These
components are integrated typically already as a sub-module, which eases separation.
Achieving higher tantalum concentrations would require desoldering of all such
capacitors. For an automatic desoldering it would be beneficial to place all tantalum
capacitors on the same side, preferably on the same side as ICs potentially desoldered
for reuse, and not covered under a soldered shield or shielding frame. Color coding,
such as the orange or ochre coloring formerly used for almost all tantalum capacitors
might ease the identification of target components, but building up a database with
the location of tantalum capacitors would serve a similar purpose. Such information
would have to be made available to automated desoldering stations placed in a large
number of locations.
From an environmental viewpoint reuse of the assemblies or components would
be preferable to the material recycling, but standards for long term reuse are unlikely
to emerge.
Separating tungsten, tantalum and neodymium containing components as a separate activity at end-of-life of small devices is not economic; therefore it cannot
be driven by straightforward economic reasoning. Keeping critical resources and
conflict minerals in use is however already perceived as valuable for some industry
players looking beyond the costs of sourcing the material.
Acknowledgements The project sustainably SMART has received funding from the European
Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 680640.
References
Apple (2019) Environmental responsibility report https://www.apple.com/environment/pdf/Apple_
Environmental_Responsibility_Report_2019.pdf
Böni H, Wäger P, Figi R (2015) Rückgewinnung von kritischen Metallen wie Indium und Neodym
aus Elektronikschrott am Beispiel von Indium und Neodym, Schlussbericht, p 10
Burkhardt C (2019) OBE Ohnmacht und Baumgärtner GmbH & Co. Berlin, KG, Personal Interview
Chancerel P, Meskers CEM, Hagelüken C, Rotter VS (2009) Assessment of precious metal flows
during preprocessing of waste electrical and electronic equipment. J Ind Ecol 13(5):791–810
Gilerman R (2019) Tantalum recycling. Personal Interview, Berlin