Arduino is at work to make bio-based PCBs
a year ago
- #Electronics
- #Sustainability
- #Innovation
- Arduino is working on bio-based printed circuit boards (PCBs) to reduce environmental impact.
- The initiative is part of the Desire4EU project, funded by the European Innovation Council, running from 2024 to 2028.
- First prototypes use a flame-retardant composite made from PLA-flax, successfully replicating Arduino Nano and UNO boards.
- The project aims to lower soldering temperatures, reducing energy consumption during manufacturing.
- Bio-based PCBs are compatible with standard surface mounted technology (SMT), requiring no new infrastructure.
- A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is being conducted to quantify environmental benefits like waste reduction and CO? savings.
- 90% of traditional FR4 substrate can be replaced with sustainable materials without compromising performance.
- Existing Arduino designs can be adapted with minimal changes, ensuring wide adoption.
- 1,000 beta boards will be distributed starting in April 2026 for real-world testing.
- The project encourages participation from testers, educators, and innovators to evaluate performance.