In a groundbreaking collaboration involving 46 partners from 11 European countries, the Sustronics project aims to propel the European electronics industry toward sustainability. With Philips as a coordinator, backed by a budget of 40 million Euros (a quarter of which comes directly from the EU), this unprecedented project focuses on sustainable materials, design, manufacturing methods, and enhanced circularity and energy efficiency.
As electronic waste reached a staggering 53 million tons in 2019, the push for more environmentally friendly electronics has gained momentum. Traditional materials are no longer viable due to their finite nature and the environmental damage caused by excessive e-waste. Recognizing this, the Sustronics project is timely, aligning with new EU legislation, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products, set to take effect in early 2024, requiring all products sold in the EU to prove their sustainability.
Collaborative Vision for Sustainable Electronics
With a three-year timeline and nine pilots, the Sustronics project brings together key players in the value chain, including VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Tampere University, and other six Finnish companies Canatu, Movesense, Screentec, Tervakoski, UpCode, and UPM Raflatac, all co-funded by Business Finland. The ambition is clear: to lead the electronics industry towards sustainability, showcasing how it can address environmental challenges and strengthen Europe’s position as a global technology hub.
As an industrial manufacturer of printed electronics, Screentec plays a crucial role in the Sustronics project. Out of the nine use cases, Screentec is involved in five, focusing on health monitoring, diagnostics, medical devices, and lighting. The company is committed to developing more sustainable materials and manufacturing methods for these applications. Mikko Paakkolanvaara, CTO at Screentec, emphasizes the company’s dedication to sustainable development: “We aim to expand our offering by introducing more environmentally friendly alternatives such as paper-based substrates and copper and carbon pastes, alongside the currently used plastic substrates and silver pastes. Screentec’s involvement in the Sustronics project allows for development, testing, and validation of these new material combinations and structures.”
Screentec prioritizes the improvement of the environmental sustainability of single-use medical electrodes, with plans to offer greener options to their current and future customers in the coming years.
Paving the Way for a Sustainable Future
Sustronics represents a collective effort to redefine the foundation of the electronics industry, making sustainable materials and processes the new norm without compromising performance. The project’s success will not only contribute to the renewal of the European Electronic Components and Systems (ECS) industry, but also align with the goals of a circular economy, recyclable materials, and resource-efficient manufacturing processes.
Together with large enterprises, SMEs, research organizations and universities throughout the electronics value chain and life cycle, Sustronics aims to increase competitiveness, productivity, resource autonomy, and environmental compatibility in the European ECS industry. This collaborative effort is a big step toward creating a sustainable future for electronics, with Screentec leading the way in innovation and environmental responsibility.
Stay tuned for more information and updates, as we continue on this transformative journey of sustainable electronics.
More information on the project, visit www.sustronics.eu
