What is the REEETrack™ service?

Trackwise are developing a new technique for recycling PTFE laminate that, which preserves the original precisely-controlled balance between the material's constituents.

 

Precise Balance

In contrast to conventional PCBs microwave boards use a costly laminate based on PTFE and glass- fibre matrix in which the proportions of the two materials are precisely balanced.

Trackwise have managed to find a way to preserve the balance through the recycling process

Even with the most efficient PCB manufacturing processes, between 10 to 25% of the raw material goes to landfill.

Laminated materials that are wasted unnecessarily incur a large loss in value at both ends of the process, i.e. Expensive raw material is wasted and little value, if any is currently recovered from waste. The REEETrack™ process would go along way to changing this situation and injecting more value back into the supply chain.

 

Who will the REEETrack™ service benefit?

The research programme-in progress- describes a means whereby all participants in the PTFE printed circuit product life cycle:
- Laminate manufacturers
- Printed circuit manufacturers
- Antenna manufacturers
- Network operators
Can divert their manufacturing waste and end of life material away from landfill into more constructive and valuable recycled product.

 

 

For the full research project REEE™ NOT WEEE
Recycling End of Life Antennas

Presented by Managing Director Philip Johnston to the Antenna Systems conference 2005 in Santa Clara California please download the PDF.