If you want a compact, standalone unit for recovering metals from circuit boards, a circuit board recycling machine does it all through a dry physical process. The boards are shredded and finely milled, then separated into three fractions: metal powder, rich in copper, resin powder and fiber powder. No chemicals, no wastewater, with controlled dust, in a single compact, integrated assembly.
A circuit board recycling machine is ideal for operators who want to recover copper and precious metals at a medium scale, without building a complete plant. The three resulting powders can be sold separately. See the full range of recycling equipment and where each piece fits in the flow.
Key Advantages for PCB Recycling
• Three sellable fractions, a circuit board recycling machine separates metal powder, resin powder and fiber powder, each with its own use and market.
• Copper recovery, the metal powder concentrates copper and precious metals, ready for delivery to refining.
• Dry physical process, shredding, milling and separation, without acids, without wastewater and without incineration.
• Metal-fiber separation, separation by conductivity cleanly splits the metal from the non-metallic resin and fiber.
• Compact assembly, a single integrated system, suited to medium-scale operators, without a complete plant.
• Controlled dust, the dust extraction system captures the fine powders, for a clean working environment and complete recovery.
• Good metal yield, fine milling releases the metal from the resin, maximizing recovery per batch.
• Easy to operate, an integrated flow, with simple adjustments and easily accessible maintenance.
Technical Specifications, Circuit Board Recycling Machine
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Machine type | Circuit board recycling machine, dry physical process |
| Input material | Printed circuit boards (PCB), with or without components |
| Shredding | Integrated PCB shredder |
| Milling | Fine mill down to powder |
| Separation | Electrostatic separator (by conductivity) |
| Recovered products | Metal powder (copper), resin powder, 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
A circuit board recycling machine serves medium-scale recyclers, WEEE dismantling workshops and operators who want to recover value from boards on site, without the logistics of a large plant. Circuit boards contain a lot of copper and precious metals in small but valuable quantities. For an operator, a compact unit turns the collected boards into a concentrated metal powder, sellable to refiners.
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 flow, see also the full industry solutions.
The metal powder produced by a circuit board recycling machine goes to refining for the extraction of copper, gold, silver and palladium, while the resin powder and the fiber powder can be used as filler or construction material. For an operator, the ability to deliver a concentrated metal fraction opens up contracts with refineries, at much better prices than for whole boards sold by the kilo.
Electronic boards are one of the richest urban sources of copper and precious metals, and demand for these recovered metals is growing. A medium-scale circuit board recycling machine lets even a smaller operator enter this market, turning a hazardous waste into a concentrated source of critical metals.
The dry physical process also brings an important environmental advantage: it avoids incinerating the boards, which releases brominated flame retardants, and it generates no wastewater. A physical circuit board recycling machine is therefore easier to permit and more sustainable, and the absence of wastewater eliminates treatment costs and simplifies daily operation.
Compatible Materials
A circuit board recycling machine processes boards of all kinds. Boards with components can be shredded directly or, first, desoldered to recover sellable components. The better the boards are sorted, the more concentrated the recovered metal powder.
| Accepted material | Notes |
|---|---|
| Circuit boards with components | Optionally desoldered beforehand |
| Stripped 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
1. The circuit boards are shredded in the integrated shredder, for an initial size reduction.
2. The shredded material is finely milled until it becomes powder.
3. The powder passes through the electrostatic separator, which splits it by conductivity.
4. The metal powder, rich in copper, is collected separately for refining.
5. The resin powder and the fiber powder are discharged as by-products.
6. The dust extraction system captures the fine powders throughout the machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a circuit board recycling machine recover?
It recovers three fractions: a metal powder rich in copper and precious metals, a resin powder and a glass fiber powder. The metal powder goes to refining, and the non-metallic ones can be used as filler.
Does the process use chemicals or water?
No. It is a dry physical process: shredding, fine milling and electrostatic separation by conductivity. It uses no acids and generates no wastewater, which makes it easier to permit and more environmentally friendly.
Is it suitable for a small operator?
Yes. It is a compact, integrated unit that requires a much smaller investment and footprint than a complete plant, but delivers the same valuable metal powder, with a fast payback based on the price of the recovered copper.
Can I process boards with components mounted?
Yes. Boards with components can be shredded directly or, first, passed through a desoldering machine to recover sellable components. The machine works most efficiently with stripped boards, 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.
