TactoTek signs recycling ecosystem partnership agreement with URT
TactoTek (Oulu, Finland), a leading provider of in-mould structural electronics (IMSE) technology, has signed a recycling ecosystem partnership contract with Universal Recycling Technologies, LLC (North-America). As a part of TactoTek’s sustainability approach and the objective to develop more environmentally friendly electronics, TactoTek is building a global recycling ecosystem. This development promotes efficient recycling of manufacturing waste and IMSE end-of-life parts. The partnership enables TactoTek’s licensees to recycle IMSE production-related electronics waste in an efficient, environmentally friendly, and sustainable way. The recycling is done by the partner companies in the Recycling Ecosystem.
When introducing a new technology to the market, it is crucial that sustainability aspects are taken into account in the early phase of new technology adaptation. To maximise material recovery and circularity of its novel technology, TactoTek is continuously studying IMSE recycling with the help of global recycling partners and research facilities. By building a recycling ecosystem, the company aims to support IMSE manufacturing licensees during all stages of the value chain. Efficient recycling and subsequent material recovery are vital in all businesses, especially in the electronics industry, as electronics waste, commonly referred to as e-waste, is the largest growing waste stream in the world. Currently, only 20% of the waste is formally recycled.
By being part of the IMSE Recycling Ecosystem, the recycling company will be introduced to the IMSE manufacturing licensees. This relationship between the parties is independent and non-exclusive – each party being in full control of their businesses. TactoTek verifies the recycling partners by providing them with an IMSE-related sample set, and they in turn provide TactoTek with reports to confirm their capability of recycling the IMSE waste fractions.
Sampo Pirilä, Manager, Product Planning & Sustainability at TactoTek, states: “We are happy to have signed the first Recycling Ecosystem Partnership Agreements. These partnerships are important building blocks in our mission to take concrete actions to support our clients during the whole lifecycle of our technology and maximizing its circularity. Sustainability and environmental performance are at the core of our business, and efficient recycling of our technology is vital for the future.”
“We are excited to see where this journey takes us, and how we can help TactoTek in serving the IMSE clients in North America,” stated John Kendall, Director, Environmental Health & Safety, Universal Recycling Technologies, LLC (URT).
Caption: The recycling ecosystem brings together recycling professionals and IMSE manufacturers (photo: TactoTek)