Jamshedpur: CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML), Jamshedpur, has entered into a significant partnership with Eyantram Waste Management Private Limited, Visakhapatnam, to transfer technology for recycling printed circuit boards (PCBs) and extracting valuable metals like gold, copper, and aluminum.
The agreement, signed on Monday, will establish an e-waste recycling plant that aligns with the “Zero Waste” concept, promoting environmental sustainability and reducing the strain on waste disposal systems.
The technology transfer aims to enhance e-waste management by recovering precious metals from waste PCBs, which is increasingly becoming a significant environmental challenge. The new plant will not only help reduce environmental pollution but also create employment opportunities, particularly for youth, and organize the informal waste sector.
The signing ceremony was attended by prominent experts from CSIR-NML, including Dr. Sandip Ghosh Chowdhury, Director, and Dr. Manis Kumar Jha, Project Leader, among others. Dr. Anjani Kumar Sahu highlighted the future potential of the technology in India’s recycling industry.
The NML-developed technology uses an environmentally friendly process to recycle waste PCBs, extracting metals like gold, copper, and aluminum through a combination of mechanical pre-treatment and hydrometallurgical techniques. The process ensures that extracted materials have a high purity level, providing an eco-friendly solution to the growing problem of e-waste.
Aashish Lohia, Director of Eyantram Waste Management, expressed excitement about the collaboration, emphasizing the goal of creating a pollution-free society while preserving precious natural resources. Dr. Ghosh Chowdhury echoed the sentiment, hoping this partnership will contribute to India’s journey toward becoming an e-waste-free society.
The new technology not only addresses environmental concerns but also has the potential to boost India’s economy by supporting small-scale industries and creating new job opportunities. It is seen as a breakthrough in the country’s e-waste management strategy and is expected to pave the way for similar initiatives in various sectors.
