Pioneering Sustainable Technologies for E-Waste Recovery

 

Advancing green chemistry, biotechnology and engineering to build cleaner, safer and more circular approaches to managing electronic waste.

A Collaborative, Interdisciplinary Research Programme

Our work brings together chemists, biotechnologists, materials scientists, engineers and environmental specialists from the UK and Malaysia. By combining complementary expertise, we develop technologies that are scientifically robust, industrially relevant and suitable for deployment in diverse recycling contexts.

Smarter Ways to Recover Valuable Metals

New chemical and biological tools allow us to recover gold, copper, rare earths and other critical materials from e-waste without relying on harsh acids.

Cleaner Handling of Plastics and Resins

We are developing safer techniques to separate and reuse the polymer components of circuit boards, reducing pollution and supporting circular-economy goals.

Turning Research Into Real-World Solutions

Our team integrates new discoveries into practical process flows that can be scaled, tested and deployed in real recycling environments.

Research for a Cleaner and More Circular E-Waste Future

Advanced Metal-Recovery Chemistry

We develop selective and environmentally gentle chemical processes to extract precious, critical and base metals from printed circuit boards. Our work focuses on recyclable reagents, catalytic cycles and low-energy dissolution pathways that improve efficiency while reducing waste.

Bio-Assisted Extraction

Microbial systems and biogenic metabolites offer powerful mechanisms for dissolving metals under mild conditions. We study bioleaching strategies that enhance solubility, reduce hazardous reagents and enable more sustainable pre-treatment routes.

Polymer and Plastic Separation

Printed circuit boards contain complex plastics that are difficult to recycle. We design cleaner separation technologies, including supercritical-fluid processing and solvent-free delamination, to recover polymers and reduce harmful emissions.

Process Integration and Demonstration

Our engineering research integrates promising chemical and biological steps into coherent process flows. Bench-scale reactors, kinetic optimisation and process modelling ensure that new technologies are practical, efficient and ready for future scale-up.

Ongoing Project & Work Packages

Advanced Metal-Recovery Chemistry (WP1 & 2)

PCBs contain valuable metals such as copper, gold, silver, palladium, indium and rare earth elements. Our research investigates innovative chemical routes that allow selective extraction under mild conditions. This includes:

  • Environmentally benign oxidative leaching systems.
  • Catalytically enhanced dissolution pathways.
  • Selective binding agents for precious and critical metals.
  • Regenerable recovery cycles that minimise reagent use.

We prioritise methods that avoid high toxicity, reduce waste generation and are economically feasible for large-scale or decentralised operations.

Bio-Assisted Metal Extraction (WP1 & 2)

Biological systems – bacteria, fungi and microbial metabolites – offer powerful mechanisms for metal mobilisation and selective dissolution. Our research explores:

  • Bioleaching strategies using adapted microbial communities.
  • Biogenic ligands that enable targeted metal solubilisation.
  • Low-energy dissolution processes suitable for mixed e-waste.
  • Integration of biological and chemical pre-treatments.

These approaches support safer working environments and lower environmental footprints.

Sustainable Polymer and Plastic Separation (WP2)

PCBs include epoxy resins, thermoplastics and additives that are difficult to recycle safely. Traditional methods rely on burning or aggressive thermal treatment. We develop cleaner alternatives, including:

  • Supercritical-fluid extraction for polymer separation.
  • Solvent-free delamination approaches.
  • Novel methods for recovering fibre-reinforced plastics.
  • Safe handling of brominated flame retardants.

This work supports better material circularity and reduces emissions from uncontrolled burning.

Process Integration and Technology Demonstration (WP3)

New recycling methods must be feasible in real-world conditions. Our engineering research focuses on integrating promising approaches into operable process flows. This includes:

  • Bench-scale process development.

  • Pre-treatment and post-treatment technologies.

  • Kinetic studies and efficiency optimisation.

  • Experimental validation under local feedstock conditions.

By understanding the full process chain, we identify opportunities to scale up and adapt technologies for Malaysian industrial environments.

Environmental and Circular-Economy Assessment (WP4)

To ensure that new recycling pathways are genuinely sustainable, we conduct detailed assessments of environmental and economic performance. Our work includes:

  • Life-cycle assessment (LCA) of new recycling technologies.
  • Techno-economic analysis (TEA) to assess cost and scalability.
  • Evaluation of greenhouse-gas emissions and energy use.
  • Materials-flow mapping across the e-waste value chain.

These analyses guide decision-making and support policy development.

Stakeholder Engagement and Knowledge Transfer (WP5)

Technology alone cannot solve e-waste challenges. We collaborate with industry, government agencies, recyclers and community organisations to ensure practical adoption. Activities include:

  • Industry workshops and training programmes.
  • Engagement with formal and informal recycling practitioners.
  • Co-developing safe-working and best-practice guidelines.
  • Supporting a transition to cleaner, more equitable recycling systems.

This collaborative model ensures that our research delivers real impact.

“Electronic waste represents both a significant environmental challenge and a valuable resource. Through this international collaboration, we bring together complementary strengths in green chemistry, sustainable process engineering and environmental management to create new, practical technologies for responsible and efficient e-waste recycling.”

– Prof. Peter Nockemann, Project Lead

Electronic waste contains high-value metals and complex polymers, yet current recycling methods are often inefficient or environmentally damaging. Our research integrates green chemistry, biotechnology and engineering to develop cleaner, safer and more selective recovery pathways. By understanding material behaviour at the molecular and process level, we create practical technologies that support modern, circular approaches to resource management.

Printed circuit boards contain valuable metals and polymers whose recovery requires advanced, selective recycling technologies.

Advancing Sustainable Technologies for a Circular E-Waste Future

Electronic waste contains precious and critical metals that are essential for renewable energy systems, electronics and modern manufacturing. Their recovery is vital for reducing supply-chain vulnerability and supporting sustainable industrial development.

Stakeholder Engagement and Knowledge Transfer

We work closely with industry, government and community partners to promote the adoption of safer and more efficient recycling practices. Through workshops, training and collaborative activities, we help build local capacity and support the shift to cleaner e-waste management systems.

Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA)

We quantify how new processes reduce environmental burdens, including energy use, emissions and waste generation.

Techno-Economic Evaluation

Our analysis combines cost modelling and scalability assessment to ensure new technologies are economically viable.

Circular-Economy Materials Flow

We analyse how metals and plastics move through supply chains to identify opportunities for improved recovery and reuse.

Stakeholder Outreach & Skills Development

We engage with industry, government and practitioners to support training, best-practice adoption and knowledge exchange.