Panasonic new urban mining tech recovers factory copper

Panasonic Environmental Systems and Engineering Co., Ltd. has launched a new wastewater treatment and urban mining business aimed at semiconductor and electronic device factories

It developed this solution to that targets both the inlet and outlet of the production line. Increased semiconductor production results in a higher volume of chemical solutions, such as stripping agents, which complicates wastewater treatment and drives up industrial waste disposal costs.

For the outlet stage, the company developed RARELOOP, a compact metal recovery unit. This system uses electrolysis to extract copper ions from complex etching waste liquids and recovers them as solid, reusable metal. Unlike traditional large plant systems, RARELOOP is designed to fit into limited factory spaces. The compact design lowers initial installation and maintenance costs. Furthermore, factory operators can sell the recovered copper as a resource, transforming waste disposal costs into a new revenue stream.

The company also established new coagulation and decomposition technologies to handle hard-to-treat wastewater. Applying an electrochemical reaction allows the system to separate nanoparticles and slurry from waste liquids with minimal chemical additives. A complementary oxidation-reduction mechanism accelerates the breakdown of organic nitrogen compounds, enabling the equipment to remain small while operating at high speeds.

At the inlet stage, Panasonic introduced a resist stripping solution for semiconductor back-end processes. The proprietary chemical operates at lower temperatures and boasts a longer lifespan, reducing overall chemical consumption. The company also created a highly precise copper plating process for glass substrates, which are anticipated to be the next generation of semiconductor packaging. This process ensures strong adhesion and uniform plating even in microscopic through-holes.

Panasonic plans to expand its recovery technology to include silver, tin and nickel in the future, further advancing urban mining in the tech sector.