MTM Critical Metals Expands E-Waste Metal Recovery with New Extraction Success

MTM Critical Metals has made significant strides in extracting metals from electronic waste using a technique known as Flash Joule Heating (FJH). Following earlier reports of high recovery rates for gold, silver, and copper, the company has now added tin and palladium to the list of successfully recovered metals.

The extraction process, which does not require toxic acids, achieved recovery rates of approximately 86% for tin and 82% for palladium from printed circuit boards (PCBs), a common component of e-waste. These advancements highlight the potential of FJH as an efficient and environmentally friendly approach to recycling valuable metals from discarded electronics.

E-waste is one of the fastest-growing segments of solid waste, with more than 60 million tonnes produced annually worldwide, of which only about 20% is recycled. PCBs are among the most valuable components of e-waste, containing up to 300 grams of gold, 1,300 grams of silver, 4% tin, and 500 grams of palladium per tonne—concentrations far exceeding those found in natural ores.

Conventional metal recovery techniques, such as pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy, are costly, energy-intensive, and often harmful to the environment. Pyrometallurgy involves high-temperature smelting, releasing toxic byproducts, while hydrometallurgy relies on harmful acids that generate substantial toxic waste. Both methods also struggle with low recovery rates for certain metals.

In contrast, MTM's FJH technology offers a more sustainable solution. By applying direct electrical energy in a chlorine gas atmosphere, FJH vaporizes metals from e-waste, allowing for their recovery in a two-step process—without the use of toxic chemicals or incineration. The success of this process could make FJH a game-changer in the recycling industry, significantly improving the efficiency of metal recovery and reducing environmental impact.