In a world where e-waste is piling up faster than it can be recycled, MTM Critical Metals (ASX: MTM) has made a significant stride towards turning electronic junk into a goldmine of opportunity. The company announced on 8 October 2024 that its Flash Joule Heating (FJH) technology has successfully recovered palladium and tin from printed circuit boards (PCBs), adding these metals to its previously proven recoveries of gold, silver, and copper.
The real kicker? This has been achieved without the usual cocktail of toxic chemicals that plague traditional recycling methods, positioning MTM as a leader in the quest for cleaner, greener recycling solutions.
The successful recovery rates are impressive: 86% for tin and 82% for palladium. These results follow earlier tests that achieved high recovery rates for gold, silver, and copper using the same FJH process. This time, MTM has focused on palladium and tin, two valuable metals widely used in electronics and automotive industries. Palladium, in particular, is crucial for catalytic converters and electronic components, making this a strategic win for MTM.
CEO Michael Walshe is clearly excited about the potential. “The successful recovery of tin and palladium, alongside gold, silver, and copper, highlights the significant potential of FJH as an efficient recycling solution for printed circuit boards,” he said. “With e-waste representing a vast untapped 'urban mine,' our technology offers a sustainable approach without the environmental burden of traditional mining or hazardous processing.”
In addition to being cleaner, FJH shows potential to be cheaper. MTM notes that their process could result in major capital and operational savings, particularly because it avoids the high-energy demands and complex waste treatment associated with conventional recycling methods.
For companies like MTM, e-waste is more than just a problem—it’s an opportunity. A tonne of PCBs can contain far higher concentrations of precious metals than traditional ore bodies. MTM points out that e-waste can yield up to 300 grams of gold, 1,300 grams of silver, 500 grams of palladium, and 4% tin per tonne, concentrations that dwarf those found in natural deposits.
As the world moves towards decarbonisation and cleaner energy, demand for metals like copper, tin, and palladium is only increasing. With geopolitical instability in some of the world’s top metal-producing regions, there is a growing push for alternative, sustainable sources of these critical materials. According to MTM, recycling e-waste could supply up to 10% of the world’s copper and 57% of its palladium needs, offering a reliable, above-ground alternative to mining.
While the technology is still in its early stages, MTM is moving quickly towards full-scale commercialisation. Discussions with e-waste suppliers are already underway, and the company is pushing ahead with plans to build a 1-tonne-per-day pilot plant. The potential market for e-waste recycling is enormous, with over $70 billion worth of recoverable metals discarded each year.
MTM’s next steps will be crucial in determining the commercial viability of the FJH process. The company plans to further optimise its recovery rates and scale up operations to handle larger volumes of e-waste. As environmental concerns mount and governments worldwide implement stricter recycling regulations, the demand for technologies like FJH will only grow.
Walshe summed it up well: “We are excited to advance discussions with industry partners as we continue our journey towards commercialisation.” With a clean, efficient, and commercially viable solution in hand, MTM looks set to disrupt the e-waste recycling market and provide a sustainable source of critical metals. Their FJH technology is proving itself as not only a cleaner option but also a versatile and commercially attractive method for recovering valuable metals. As the world grapples with the environmental challenges of electronic waste, MTM might just have the solution everyone’s been looking for.