Driving Innovation: Depth Routing Processes—Achieving Unparalleled Precision in Complex PCBs
It's Only Common Sense: The Evolution of Prospecting
Dan's Biz Bookshelf: 'Apple in China: The Capture of the World’s Greatest Company'
Closing the Loop on PCB Etching Waste
September 9, 2025 | Shawn Stone, IECEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
As the PCB industry continues its push toward greener, more cost-efficient operations, Sigma Engineering’s Mecer System offers a comprehensive solution to two of the industry’s most persistent pain points: etchant consumption and rinse water waste.
Designed as a modular, fully automated platform, the Mecer System regenerates spent copper etchants—both alkaline and acidic—and simultaneously recycles rinse water, transforming a traditionally linear chemical process into a closed-loop system. The result is significant cost savings, dramatically reduced environmental impact, and a more stable, predictable etching process.
Regenerating Etchant, Reducing Cost
The Mecer System provides tailored modules for alkaline and acidic etchant recovery. Alkaline etchant recovery virtually eliminates the need for fresh replenisher chemicals, requiring only minor adjustments to replace drag-out losses. For cupric chloride-based etching, the system reduces hydrochloric acid usage by up to 95% while restoring the etchant's oxidizing capacity using an oxygen-based process. This approach sidesteps the safety and regulatory concerns of conventional reoxidizers such as chlorine gas or bleach.
In both cases, dissolved copper is extracted from the etchant through solvent extraction and electro-winning. The recovered metal is produced as anodic-grade copper plates with over 99.9% purity—an economically valuable by-product that can be reclaimed every one to two weeks.
Recycling Rinse Water
Another prominent feature is the Mecer System’s rinse water purification unit. By stripping dissolved copper from rinse streams, the system enables direct reuse of rinse water, drastically reducing freshwater demand and effluent output. This capability not only supports compliance with increasingly strict discharge regulations but also alleviates the burden on downstream wastewater treatment facilities.
Environmental and Economic Payback
The Mecer System isn’t just an environmental upgrade; it’s an economic one. Users can expect reduced chemical purchases, lower water usage, and less hazardous waste handling, all of which contribute to a return on investment typically within six to 18 months. The added benefit of high-purity copper recovery provides an additional revenue stream for facilities processing significant volumes of copper etchant.
Smart Control, Seamless Integration
Automation plays a key role in Mecer’s appeal. The system continuously monitors key parameters such as copper concentration, pH, and chloride levels, adjusting real-time dosing and regeneration cycles. It can be operated by existing line staff, integrates easily into standard etching lines, and is built from corrosion-resistant materials for long-term durability.
A Cleaner Future for PCB Manufacturing
The Sigma Mecer System represents a major step forward in sustainable PCB fabrication by reclaiming etchant, recovering copper, and recycling rinse water. It’s an elegant, high-efficiency solution for manufacturers looking to cut costs, reduce waste, and modernize their wet process lines without sacrificing throughput or yield.
To see all of our SEL coverage, be sure to check out the August 2025 edition of PCB007 Magazine.
Share on:
Testimonial
"We’re proud to call I-Connect007 a trusted partner. Their innovative approach and industry insight made our podcast collaboration a success by connecting us with the right audience and delivering real results."
Julia McCaffrey - NCAB GroupSuggested Items
U.S. Army Begins Fielding BAE Systems’ Mission-critical Software-defined Radios Across Rotary-wing Aviation Fleet
09/08/2025 | BAE SystemsBAE Systems’ AN/ARC-231A Multi-mode Aviation Radio Set (MARS) has completed initial installation and is operationally ready for use today on select U.S. Army rotary-wing aircraft.
AV Delivers First Two Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser Systems to U.S. Army
09/04/2025 | BUSINESS WIREAeroVironment, Inc. (AV) announced the successful delivery of the first two mobile counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) prototype Laser Weapon System (LWS) to the U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) as part of the first increment of the Army Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) prototyping effort.
New Podcast Episode Drop: MKS’ Atotech’s Role in Optimize the Interconnect
09/08/2025 | I-Connect007In this episode of On the Line With…, host Nolan Johnson sits down with Patrick Brooks, MKS' Atotech's Global Product Director, EL Systems, to discuss the critical role that wet processes play alongside laser systems in advancing the Optimize the InterconnectSM initiative. Brooks points to Bondfilm as a key example—a specialized coating that enables CO₂ lasers to ablate more effectively than ever before.
UHDI Fundamentals: UHDI Technology and Industry 4.0
09/03/2025 | Anaya Vardya, American Standard CircuitsUltra high density interconnect (UHDI) technology is rapidly transforming how smart systems are designed and deployed in the context of Industry 4.0. With its capacity to support highly miniaturized, high-performance, and densely packed electronics, UHDI is a critical enabler of the smart, connected, and automated industrial future. Here, I’ll explore the synergy between UHDI and Industry 4.0 technologies, highlighting applications, benefits, and future directions.
What EMS Firms Want From Their Software—and What They Get
09/03/2025 | Thiago Guimaraes, Global Electronics AssociationLast November, the Global Electronics Association [as IPC] surveyed EMS and OEM companies to better understand the software tools driving their operations and uncover trends in adoption, satisfaction, and challenges. The survey assessed software tools across critical functions, including ERP, MES, PLM, QMS, LMS, quoting systems, and CRM. Participants shared insights on tool adoption, satisfaction, and selection priorities.