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86 PCB007 MAGAZINE I JULY 2025 F i g u re 5 : E xa m p l e s of f i n i s h e d p r i nte d c i rc u i t s u s i n g t h e n ew S o l u b o a rd l a m i n ate. ▼ Transforming Electronics with Recyclable PCB Technology Jack Herring discussed his UK company's efforts to develop a biodegradable laminate suitable for electronics. This new copper-clad laminate is called Soluboard. While traditional FR-4 uses glass cloth and complex thermoset resins, Soluboard uses natural fibers coated with biodegradable H A P PY 'S T EC H TA L K # 41 materials, allowing the laminate to be broken down at end-of-life. This enables the recovery of met- als that would otherwise be lost and offers a 68% lower carbon footprint compared to standard FR-4 (Figure 5). There are several large corporations concerned with obsolescence and end-of-life. Experts esti- mate that by 2030, more than 6.5 million tons of waste PCBs will be produced and end up in landfills. The Sol- uboard represents a way to manufacture rigid PCBs with a lam- inate that can be a drop-in replacement for double-sided FR-4 in standard PCB fabri- cation, which can then be recycled at end-of- life with a certified non- hazardous hot water- based process. Jiva has been work- ing on a suitable FR-4 replacement since its founding in 2017 (Figure 6). F i g u re 6 : J i va p ro d u ct s . ▼