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JULY 2025 I PCB007 MAGAZINE 85 H A P PY 'S T EC H TA L K based on a standard four-layer multilayer, with inputs and out- puts normalized for 1 m2 of out- put. The panel occupation (num- ber up on a panel represented as a percentage) is an important parameter in the model calculat- ing energy, water, chemicals and generated waste. Twelve-layer Board Example A 12-layer FR-4 board was 156 mm x 140 mm and 1.8 mm thick, using ENIG with solder mask. Figure 4 shows the model results, summa- rizing energy, treated water, and DI water usage in graph form. The high energy usage of 2.49 kWh/m 2 stems from using gold in ENIG because gold and other noble metals require high energy consumption in refining and processing. The lowest are immersion silver, tin, and OSP. Summary I have previously collaborated with Cauwe on UHDI reliabil- ity with the IPC UHDI Stan- dards Committee (D33-AP). This is a new role for him at imec in Europe, but his prior work in the EU Space Agency on advanced UHDI is notable. There was a clear model cor- relation with eco design specifi- cations based on: • Base material types • Panel utilization (panel occupation) • Total layer count • Yields Over the years, I developed my own PCB panel model in conjunction with the MCC pro- gram, which focuses on semi- conductor technology, circuit schematics, and component packaging (I/Os and pitch) to provide costs, density require- ments, design rules (layers), electrical performance and esti- mated first-pass-yields, but not eco elements. As this EU LCI model develops, I may add these to my modeling software. What appears to be driving this work is: • Eco-design: Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 of the Euro- pean Parliament and of the Council, establishing a framework for the set- ting of eco-design require- ments for sustainable prod- ucts, amending Directive (EU) 2020/1828 and Reg- ulation (EU) 2023/1542 and repealing Direc- tive 2009/125/EC (OJ L, 2024/1781, 28.6. 2024) • Creation of the LCA data- base and manufacturing models to collect data from suppliers and fabricators • Eco-reporting: To amend the corporate sustainabil- ity reporting Directive (EU) 2022/2464 of the Euro- pean Parliament and of the Council (Dec. 14, 2022) • Create eco-improvement targets for water, materials, energy, and waste Let's hope these regulations are well-researched and well thought out (unlike the lead- free solder regulations). There is likely to be an impact on the U.S. as China seems involved and interested. My models indi- cate that HDI and UHDI technol- ogies significantly impact boards in terms of materials, size, yields, and layer count reduction. F i g u re 4 : T h e P C B m a n u fa ct u r i n g LC I m o d e l i l l u st rate s t h e e nv i ro n m e nt a l i m p a ct of e n e rg y, wate r u s a g e, c h e m i c a l c o n s u m pt i o n , a n d wa ste g e n e rate d j u st fo r t h e s u b st rate p a r t of e l e ct ro n i c s m a n u fa ct u r i n g . 1 ▼