Real Time with... electronica 2024: STARTEAM GLOBAL Meeting Challenges Head-on
December 11, 2024 | Real Time with... electronicaEstimated reading time: 12 minutes
Starkey: This is a very significant opportunity, but if we look at China, an awful lot of electricity generation is still on coal-fired power stations. How does that affect your calculation?
Schneider: Of course, it affects it heavily because if you look at the rule to calculate the CO2 footprint in China, it includes how they charge for electricity consumption, and the energy mix— it's 80% carbon coal-powered, 20% renewable.
Our factory in Sichuan is close to the hydropower. Our energy mix is 67% renewable, and this has a huge impact. Additionally, our factory roof is covered with solar panels to produce our own electricity and use it for our manufacturing process.
There are a lot of influencing factors, which ends in a CO2 number for individual printed circuit boards, but it’s more important to get the data from the purchased material. We have direct and indirect materials, chemistry, salts, metals, and we need to know the CO2 footprint for each single element of material, and then put all the data together with the time we need to produce, so we know exactly what is causing out of it.
Starkey: Clearly, you have an acute awareness of the situation and a really comprehensive view.
Schneider: Yes, and it's even more important than just having a number for our customers' CO2 footprint. We have a treasure box of improvement areas, where we can optimize our processes, reduce the material, water, and energy consumption. It’s where we can optimize starting from now for the next few years, to become more efficient in sustainability.
Starkey: Do you have an interest in recyclable bits of boards?
Jacob: Sure. We have them in our showcase here at our electronica booth, which contains our first 100% recyclable printed circuit board. We did it with a well-known, traditional German company which brings measurement tools into the market. A year ago, they came to us and said, “Let’s do a lighthouse project. We need a printed circuit board which is recyclable.” We said, “No way; the FR-4 material is not recyclable, today.” Of course, the metals are no problem, but then we started to think about how to do it, and we found a way.
It's expensive, but it’s 100% recyclable. Now we are working on scaling it up. We have been working with two manufacturers of base materials. One is a UK company that’s based on fibers and we’re working with a well-known laminate manufacturer in Asia. We have a demo material in our production, already. It’s very exciting to find out how we can produce a printed circuit board with FR-4 base material that can be recycled.
Starkey: Establishing the technology at this stage puts you in a very strong position for the future.
Schneider: There are a lot of challenges to be solved. For example, how do you call back the individual printed circuit boards produced with this recyclable-based material? You need to find them first.
Starkey: Initially, your marketing has to be very specific to servicing and support. It's just so exciting.
Jacob: We are enjoying and excited about what we are doing. Our people are passionate about it. You can see the whole team is motivated to be different, to make a difference and walk the extra mile, that's the key part. That's how we need to face the competition. We need to face the global market. I’ve been living for 15 years in Hong Kong, and when I come back to Europe, I tell everyone, “Where there are challenges, there are also opportunities. Let’s not blame or complain about political things; we can't change it anyway. Let's find the opportunities and work together on being excellent in our technology and sales.” I see everyone headed in one direction and that’s one of our strengths.
Starkey: Gentlemen, thank you for being so open and for being excited about your work.
Jacob: Martin and I are working on so many big and small projects and are open to answering questions any time. You’re more than welcome to get in touch with us.
Page 2 of 2Suggested Items
Fujifilm to Invest 4 Billion yen in Belgium for CMP Slurries and Photolithography-related Materials
02/07/2025 | FujifilmFUJIFILM Corporation today announced that it will install new production facilities of CMP slurries*1, advanced semiconductor materials, and enhance existing facilities for photolithography-related materials*2 at its production site located in Belgium. In Europe, where demand for automotive semiconductors and industrial semiconductors supporting the DX of manufacturing processes at factories is expected to grow, Fujifilm makes an investment of approximately 4 billion yen (approx. 25 million EUR) to expand the production capacity of its Belgium site, based in Zwijndrecht, Antwerp.
Fabrinet Announces Q2 Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Results
02/07/2025 | FabrinetFabrinet, a leading provider of advanced optical packaging and precision optical, electro-mechanical and electronic manufacturing services to original equipment manufacturers of complex products, announced its financial results for its second fiscal quarter ended December 27, 2024.
TESOLLO Unveils High-Performance Humanoid Robot Hand, DG-5F
02/07/2025 | TESOLLOTESOLLO, a Korea-based specialist in robotic grippers, has launched its latest innovation, the Delto Gripper-5 Finger (DG-5F), further solidifying its competitive edge in the robotics market.
Plasmatreat Korea to Exhibit at SEMICON Korea 2025
02/07/2025 | Plasmatreat KoreaPlasmatreat Korea, specialist in atmospheric pressure plasma technology for surface treatment, is pleased to announce its participation at SEMICON Korea 2025. From February 19 to 21, 2025, visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about Openair-Plasma and PlasmaPlus at booth P126 in the Platz Hall.
Advancements in Thermal Management: Material Talk With DuPont
02/06/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007As our DesignCon coverage continues, this insightful discussion featuring Mike Kwasny, business development manager at DuPont, delves into technologies and innovations in electronics manufacturing featuring their unique material solutions, including their Kapton film and Pyralux laminate lines.