If you want to recover copper and precious metals from circuit boards, a circuit board recycling line using a dry physical process is the clean and efficient solution. The boards are shredded and milled to a powder, then electrostatic separation splits the material into metal powder, rich in copper, and resin and fiber powder. No chemicals, no wastewater, with controlled dust.
A circuit board recycling line of this type recovers the metal without wet or chemical processes, only through shredding, fine milling and separation by conductivity. The result is a concentrated metal fraction and a non-metal fraction that can be put to use. See the full range of recycling equipment and where each one fits in the line.
Key Advantages for PCB Recycling
• Dry physical process, a circuit board recycling line recovers the metal through shredding, milling and electrostatic separation, with no chemicals and no wastewater.
• Copper recovery from boards, separation by conductivity concentrates the copper and the precious metals into a metal powder that can be monetized.
• Metal-resin separation, the electrostatic separator splits the milled material into metal powder and resin and fiber powder.
• Usable resin powder, the non-metal fraction, made of resin and glass fiber, can be used as filler or construction material.
• Controlled dust, the dust extraction system captures the fine powders, for a clean working environment and complete recovery.
• No emissions from burning, the mechanical process avoids incineration and the emissions associated with the flame-retardant substances in the boards.
• High metal yield, fine milling and precise separation maximize the amount of metal recovered from each batch.
• Modular and scalable, the line is sized from a starter unit up to a high-capacity plant.
Technical Specifications, Circuit Board Recycling Line
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Process type | Dry physical recycling: shredding, milling, electrostatic separation |
| Input material | Printed circuit boards (PCB), with or without components |
| Shredding | PCB shredder for initial reduction |
| Milling | Fine mill down to powder |
| Separation | Electrostatic separator (by conductivity) |
| Recovered products | Metal powder (copper, precious metals) and resin / fiber powder |
| Dust treatment | Dust extraction and filtration system |
| Components | CE marked where applicable |
| Capacity | Configurable to the project |
Applications and Industries for Copper Recovery from Boards
A circuit board recycling line serves WEEE recyclers, metal refineries and operators who want to monetize the richest fraction of electronic waste. Circuit boards contain copper in large quantity and precious metals in small but very valuable quantities. For an operator, concentrating these metals into a clean powder means a raw material sought after by refineries and paid according to its metal content.
The management of this waste is regulated in the European Union by Directive 2012/19/EU on WEEE, which requires the proper treatment of electronic boards. For integration into a complete line, see also the complete solutions by industry.
The metal powder produced by a circuit board recycling line goes to refining for the extraction of copper, gold, silver and palladium, while the resin and fiber powder can be used as filler or construction material. For an operator, the ability to deliver a concentrated and clean metal fraction opens direct contracts with refineries, at better prices than for whole unprocessed boards.
Demand for recovered copper and precious metals is growing, and electronic boards are one of the richest urban sources of such metals. A well-sized circuit board recycling line turns a hazardous, hard-to-manage waste into a concentrated source of critical metals, exactly what the industry is looking for amid pressure on primary resources. As mining becomes more costly and more regulated, urban sources of copper and gold, such as electronic boards, take on growing economic importance.
The dry physical process also has a major environmental advantage: it avoids incinerating the boards, which releases brominated flame-retardant substances, and it does not generate wastewater like chemical procedures. A physical circuit board recycling line is therefore easier to permit and more sustainable, an important argument in dealings with authorities and with customers who commit to environmental targets. The absence of wastewater also eliminates treatment costs, which simplifies daily operation and reduces recurring expenses.
Compatible Materials
A circuit board recycling line processes circuit boards of all kinds. Boards with components can first be passed through a desoldering machine, for the recovery of salable components, or can enter shredding directly. The better the boards are sorted, the more concentrated the recovered metal powder.
| Accepted material | Notes |
|---|---|
| Circuit boards with components | Optionally desoldered beforehand |
| Bare boards | Coming from the desoldering machine |
| Motherboards and memory boards | Rich in copper and precious metals |
| Connectors and metal pins | Fractions with high metal content |
How It Works
The flow through a circuit board recycling line is dry, mechanical and dust-controlled:
1. The circuit boards are shredded in a dedicated shredder, for an initial size reduction.
2. The shredded material is milled finely in a mill, until it becomes powder.
3. The powder passes through the electrostatic separator, which splits it by conductivity.
4. The conductive fraction, the metal powder rich in copper, is collected separately, for delivery to refining.
5. The non-conductive fraction, the resin and fiber powder, is discharged as a by-product.
6. The dust extraction system captures the fine powders throughout the line.
Each stage is sized to work with the next, for separation as clean as possible. A continuously monitored circuit board recycling line keeps a constant metal yield and quickly brings a new operator to stable results, a real advantage in plants with staff turnover. The control system signals deviations and allows planned maintenance without long production stops.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a circuit board recycling line recover?
It recovers a metal powder rich in copper and precious metals (gold, silver, palladium) and a resin and glass fiber powder. The metal powder goes to refining, and the non-metal one can be used as filler or construction material. A circuit board recycling line thus concentrates the most valuable fraction of electronic waste.
Does the process use chemicals or water?
No. It is a dry physical process: shredding, fine milling and electrostatic separation by conductivity. It does not use acids or other chemicals and does not generate wastewater, unlike hydrometallurgical procedures. That makes a circuit board recycling line easier to permit and more environmentally friendly, plus it avoids incinerating the boards.
How clean is the metal powder?
Electrostatic separation, after fine milling, concentrates the metal into a fraction with high copper content, accepted at refining. The better the milling frees the metal from the resin, the purer the powder. The quality of the separation directly influences the price obtained from refineries for the metal fraction.
Is the delivered equipment new?
Yes. We deliver new, unused equipment, made to order, not reconditioned units. The build uses components from established suppliers, CE marked where applicable, and every line goes through a full inspection before shipping. You receive the technical documentation and operating manuals in your language, for a commissioning without surprises.
What makes URSTAG a premium brand?
European design, top-tier components and experience. Every machine is designed by our engineering teams in Europe and built from components by industry leaders such as Siemens, Schneider Electric, ABB, WEG, SEW-Eurodrive, NORD Drivesystems and Bonfiglioli. The result is reliable, energy-efficient and durable equipment, backed by over 15 years of experience and by delivery, installation, training and service included.
How long does installation and commissioning take?
Transport, commissioning and operator training are included and carried out by a local team, in your language. Before shipping, the line goes through a full inspection, so your unit becomes operational quickly, with no hidden installation costs.
Can I process boards with mounted components?
Yes. Boards with components can be shredded directly or, first, passed through a desoldering machine to recover the salable components. A circuit board recycling line works most efficiently with bare boards, because the resulting metal powder is more concentrated and cleaner, but it also accepts complete boards.
Why URSTAG?
URSTAG is a premium brand of recycling equipment, with over 15 years of experience. You don't just get a machine, you get a solution engineered by specialists, built from top-tier components and backed by a team that supports you from design through commissioning.
• European engineering, every machine and every complete line is designed by our engineering teams in Europe, with a focus on reliability, safety and energy efficiency.
• Premium components, we build on motors and automation from industry leaders: Siemens, Schneider Electric, ABB, WEG, SEW-Eurodrive, NORD Drivesystems and Bonfiglioli.
• Over 15 years of experience, we know how materials and machines behave in real-world operation, and we configure each solution for your flow and volume.
• New equipment, configured for you, we supply new units, made to order for your application, with complete technical documentation.
• Delivery, installation and training included, we handle transport, commissioning and operator training, with support throughout the equipment's life.
As a premium brand, URSTAG relies on European engineering, top-tier components and experience. You choose a partner that supports your production long term, with equipment built to run reliably in demanding industrial environments.
