Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1517668
78 PCB007 MAGAZINE I MARCH 2024 themselves, we minimize waste and reclaim materials in as many steps as possible. On the electrolytic copper plating line, when the small copper balls (anodes) are sufficiently depleted, we collect them and send them to salvage for recovery. It is also common to collect router dust from drilling and routing to reclaim espe- cially the gold particles. We reclaim the HASL and precious metals from rinsing during the wet processes. In the etch process, the spent etchant is treated to remove the copper, which is also recovered. is has all been going on for many years, but for someone unfamiliar with the fabrication process, it is important to edu- cate them on all we do to reduce waste. Today, sustainability is not something we only think about during the manufacturing process. PCB fab- ricators have been focused on environmental sustainability, reducing waste, and maxi- mizing ROI in many ways for decades. Working toward bet- ter sustainability really should start long before the board arrives at the PCB shop, correct? at is correct, Nolan. Probably the most important thing we do is to work on sustainability with our customers at the design stage. What are the most (ENIG) and least impactful (OSP) sur- face treatments to the environment? What is the cost? We also promote the use of halogen- free material. It is my personal belief that cus- tomers should pay more attention here. e halogens used to make the fire-retardant mate- rials remain even when you grind down the waste materials. ey are harmful to the envi- ronment. Today, there are halogen-free mate- rials that have as good a performance as halo- gen materials, but they cost 20–30% more. But if most PCB makers (and OEMs) would use halogen-free material, the market would drive the price down and they would become more common, addressing a significant environmen- tal issue. One example is NOKIA and Samsung requiring halogen-free material for their PCBs. Can you, as the PCB manufacturer, really influence this conversation with the customer, and how? We can only appeal to our customers and pro- vide the knowledge and the datasheets for comparison. We strive to educate our custom- ers on the many potential benefits that speak to the impact not only on waste and the environ- ment but also on product cost and reliability. It is the customer's decision in the end. Do you see environmental sustainability being driven legislatively with any of your customers, or in any specific region? For some, yes, but our custom- ers' main concern is market competitiveness, and price is the primary factor. To move forward in making something a standard, legislation oen is required. For instance, we have the lead-free prohibition by the EU which requires that the majority use lead-free surface treatments and sol- der alloys. Once it is in law form, things happen; but if it is not required by law, and there is no cost advantage, companies will con- tinue to use what they have always used because they must remain competitive to survive. We don't view ourselves simply as a traditional PCB provider or manufacturer; rather, we see ourselves as proactive experts continually striv- ing to discover improved and more sustainable solutions for our clients. Being a leading force for our customers is of utmost importance to us. In terms of technology and competitive advantages, do halogen-free materials actually perform better than their halogen- filled counterparts? No, they don't perform better, but they are equivalent in product performance without the To move forward in making something a standard, legislation often is required.