Innovation fund: Swico invests in rare earths and circular economy

The Swico Innovation Fund was created in 2019 to increase - in the interest of consumers as well as manufacturers and importers - the quantity and quality of recycling of waste IT and office electrical equipment. In April 2020, innovative toner recycling was awarded - already the new plant is under construction and will start test operation in November.

The second project, which was supported by the Innovation Fund in April 2020, involved clarifying the feasibility of cobalt recovery in connection with mini-lithium batteries. The tests at Solenthaler Recycling AG have now shown that this recovery is fundamentally feasible - and revealed that neodymium-containing magnets become accessible in the resulting regrind. Neodymium is one of the rare earths whose recovery enjoys first priority according to a FOEN study from 2011 and the explanatory report on the new VREG draft. In order to clarify in more detail whether and how the recovery of both raw materials is justifiable, the Swico Innovation Fund has granted an additional support contribution of CHF 24,000 for this purpose. Results are expected by the beginning of 2021.

Reuse before recycle

The Swico Innovation Fund is supporting a project by le Bird with 75,000 Swiss francs: a study is to evaluate the potential for reusing laptops, flat-screen TVs, cell phones and possibly other devices. In a first step, the needs of the industry as well as opportunities and risks are to be recorded.

The background to this is the social and political desire to reuse rather than recycle equipment: EMPA had already conducted an initial study in 2018 on behalf of the FOEN on the ecological and economic aspects of reusing individual devices. In the case of electronic devices, where most of the environmental impact occurs during production, reuse was judged to make ecological sense. The economic sense, i.e. the willingness of a buyer to purchase a second-hand device, strongly depends on the quality and the selling price. However, the study did not cover the question of what amount of equipment entering the WEEE recycling stream would actually be reusable/marketable. This will now be researched,

If an initial test by Le Bird is positive, the second step would be to collect, categorize and document random samples of equipment suitable for reuse at a dismantling facility. The focus would then be on functionality, data security and the development of a second-hand online store with corresponding specifications. Devices will NOT be sold during this clarification and test phase, as the necessary guidelines are currently lacking and the contracts with Swico Recycling exclude resale. The project is accompanied by an expert from EMPA.

Heinz Böni, responsible for the study at EMPA, appreciates the commitment of the Swico Innovation Fund: "LeBird's innovation project adds an important aspect to the FOEN study. The project makes it possible to better assess the actual reuse potential of some selected devices. We are very excited about the results and look forward to accompanying the project."

Roger Gnos, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Swico Innovation Fund, is also very satisfied with the second round of evaluations: "The projects submitted show that the recycling industry in Switzerland is innovative and proactive. There is a great awareness of the need for more sustainability and a better circular economy - and also a willingness to take the lead here."

Swico is thus setting new standards with the Innovation Fund further impetus in the area of e-waste recycling and will report on the results of the studies in due course. The next submission deadline for innovation projects is February 15, 2021.