IPC International Community magazine an association member publication
Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1537730
C O M M U N I T Y M A G A Z I N E 6 7 S U M M E R 2 0 2 5 Sustainability is more than just a buzzword for the electronics industry; it's a key goal for all manufacturing processes. This is more than a box-tick- ing exercise or simply doing a small part for environmentally friendly processes. Moving toward sustainable solutions drives innovation and operational efficiency. Reducing wastage in manufacturing can make processes more cost-efficient, thereby increasing the manufacturer's profit. Safety also must be considered. We all have trusted products for certain tasks, but it's not news to anyone working in electronics that many chemicals are hazardous. As an industry, we've moved away from leaded solder and adapted well to alternatives. There's no reason we can't adapt to other elements of the manufacturing process. This article will explore the initiatives driven by the Global Electronics Association, the inclusion of sustainability as a topic at IPC APEX EXPO (and the articles presented therein), and how selective soldering as a manufacturing process can con- tribute to sustainability.