Il Sole 24 Ore: DESIRE4EU revolutionizes the electronics industry with sustainability in mind

ALBA PCB Group at the forefront, in synergy with leading companies and universities, with “green” electronic circuits.

DESIRE4EU deploys innovative technologies to develop and manufacture efficient, sustainable, and circular printed circuit boards (PCBs).

In recent decades, the exponential growth of electronic waste has become one of the most pressing global environmental challenges. According to projections, the volume of this type of waste will exceed 80 million tons per year by 2030. However, despite the urgency of the issue, less than a quarter of waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is properly collected and recycled.

Among the most critical components are PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards), which account for a significant share of the total and pose major recycling challenges due to their complex composition.

Improper PCB management not only exacerbates environmental impact, posing serious risks to human health, but also results in significant economic losses: every year, valuable materials worth billions of euros are lost, ending up in landfills or incinerators instead of being recovered and reintroduced into production cycles.

In this context, the importance of innovative and sustainable solutions such as the DESIRE4EU project emerges. Promoted by the Innovation Council of the European Community, DESIRE4EU aims to radically transform the electronics sector by developing sustainable, circular, and reliable multilayer circuits on an industrial scale. Thanks to a revolutionary bioleaching process, which combines energy efficiency with low pollution levels, it will also be possible to recover materials, further reducing environmental impact.

These PCBs will be produced entirely in Europe using biodegradable and bio-based materials, helping to reduce dependence on non-renewable resources and promoting a production model aligned with the principles of the circular economy. DESIRE4EU is led by a consortium of prestigious international partners, including the Grenoble Institute of Technology, under the guidance of Prof. Pascal Xavier.

Other participants include prominent academic institutions such as the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, the Catholic University of Leuven, and the SiNano Institute. On the industrial front, leading companies such as Arduino, ABchimie, Meshining, and ALBA PCB Group play a strategic role.

With over forty years of experience in the development and production of electronic boards, ALBA PCB Group stands out for its highly specialized innovations and know-how, enabling it to meet the needs of key sectors such as automotive, industrial, aerospace, military, medical, and energy.
The ALBA Elettronica plant in Mogliano Veneto is the operational hub for many activities, contributing to the development of bio-based materials, the definition of design guidelines, and the implementation of the production technologies necessary to create the new generation of eco-friendly electronic circuits. These circuits will undergo rigorous validation sessions, conducted in collaboration with research centers and based on IPC standards, to ensure technical quality and reliability under real-world conditions. ALBA is also responsible for technology transfer activities, ensuring that the innovations developed are concretely applied in the electronics industry.

The project stands out for its highly interdisciplinary approach, which has enabled the development of advanced technologies capable of meeting the highest market standards. DESIRE4EU represents a paradigm shift for the sector, demonstrating that it is possible to produce completely eco-friendly, industrially viable, and cost-effective electronic circuits in Europe.

The European Green Deal and new EU directives are already transforming the industrial landscape, imposing increasingly stringent standards in terms of sustainability and emissions. In the coming years, electronics manufacturers will be required to rethink their design strategies, shifting toward eco-compatible materials and production processes. This initiative reaffirms ALBA PCB Group’s commitment to promoting responsible management along the entire electronics industry supply chain, in line with the Circular Economy Action Plan, the European Chips Act, and the Critical Raw.
Materials Act of the European Union-key pillars for ensuring a future that is technologically autonomous and environmentally sustainable.

As Antonello Pramaggiore, Director of Marketing and Business Development at ALBA PCB Group and head of DESIRE4EU activities, emphasizes: “Although challenging, this transition represents an extraordinary opportunity for the electronics industry to innovate, improve efficiency, and enhance competitiveness in a market that is increasingly moving toward eco-friendly solutions.
The growing interest from major global manufacturers of electronic devices and systems highlights how environmental responsibility has become a priority for the future of the industry. We are working to combine sustainability, innovation, and industrial feasibility, using bio-based and biodegradable materials that respect the environment without compromising performance. The project aims not only to revolutionize electronic circuit production but also to strengthen technological independence by creating an entirely European production model capable of competing in the global market while supporting a circular economy.”

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