Seeking Sustainable electronics for use within portable consumer devices

The client is therefore actively searching for technological innovations that would enable them to meet their “sustainable electronics” goal.

Potential technology solutions that are in-scope include (but are not limited to): -

• Novel approaches to eliminate the use of rare metals (this includes, but are not limited to, gold, tin, tungsten, tantalum) in PCBA and electronics while maintaining similar performances – i.e. reduce use or replace with alternative materials
• Technology solutions that enable the reuse and recovery of PCBA components
• Suppliers who are able to supply recycled metals or components for use in lowcost consumer electronic devices
• Sustainable alternatives to silicon chips
• Initiatives that enable more successful take-back programmes of low-cost electronic consumer devices

Any technology solutions that claim to offer sustainability benefits would ideally be able to demonstrate the savings it could provide with regards to CO2, energy and/or water.

Not-in-scope:

• Technology solutions that provide sustainability benefits surrounding the manufacturing/assembly, distribution/logistics, and consumer use

• Other materials/parts within the consumer device (i.e. battery, casing, packaging)

What the client can offer

The client is a large and well established business with wide market reach so this represents an excellent business opportunity for existing and new technology partners. The client is also interested in R&D collaborations, and engaging with small companies who have developed a technology platform that could benefit from additional resources (e.g. via the client’s corporate venturing arm) to support expediated scale up.