IN2TEC’S INNOVATIVE EWASTE SOLUTION WINS MAJOR SME AWARD

The Northamptonshire-based tech firm has developed a suite of material retrieval techniques to tackle the problem of throwaway electronics...

Cutting-edge In2Tec Ltd is proud to announce it is one of the winners of the 2024 SME News Midlands Enterprise Awards.

In2tec was recognised by the panel – which aims to showcase the achievements of forward-thinking businesses operating in the Midlands region – for its signature ReUSE® and ReCYCLE™ technologies which allow manufacturers to remove components from existing electronics at the end of their useful life and reuse them.

For decades, the electronics industry has relied on cheaply produced green rigid plastic substrates for printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs). This material is hazardous to burn, does not break down in landfill, and producing them has a huge carbon footprint.

They also make recycling the valuable resources in PCBAs almost impossible and uneconomic, resulting in most ewaste being ‘buried or burned’. This is a staggering waste considering materials like gold, silver, and platinum are running out while being vital to developing technological solutions to the problems humanity faces.

In2tec has developed a pair of patented technologies – ReUSE®, the manufacturing of unzippable electronics assemblies, and ReCYCLE™ an ultra-low energy disassembly process – that allow full end-of-life disassembly, reuse, and recyclability.

These unique technologies help manufacturers and the wider electronics industry introduce circularity to their operations – while opening up new sources of income from the recovered assets.

Emma Armstrong, Sustainable Electronics Ambassador at In2tec Ltd, said: “It is wonderful to be recognised for our disruptive and effective technological solution.

“The planet is producing one billion mobile phones and over 300 million laptops each year, draining the finite natural resources of the earth and causing catastrophic environmental damage.

“Our solution provides the answers to the epidemic of throwaway electronics while offering significant value for everybody from consumers through to manufacturers, recyclers, original OEM component manufacturers, and the people in developing countries mining the resources.”

Awards Coordinator Melissa Bramall said: “Working with our winners on SME News’ prestigious Midlands Enterprise Awards has been a marvellous opportunity to learn more, connect with award-winning individuals and teams, and recognise the best of the best in the Midlands. I wish all our winners a deeply successful future as they tirelessly dedicate themselves to their missions.”

SME News prides itself on recognising companies’ efforts solely on merit and only hand awards to those most deserving for their ingenuity and hard work, distinguishing them from their competitors and proving them worthy of recognition.