Rockwell Automation Helps the Royal Mint Reduce E-Waste in Precious Metal-Recovery Facility

Rhea-AI Summary

Rockwell Automation's PlantPAx® DCS is being used by The Royal Mint in their new Precious Metals Recovery facility to manage and control the gold extraction process from e-waste. The facility, now operational after two years of design and manufacture, aims to address the growing challenge of electronic waste, which is increasing three times faster than the world's population according to the WHO.

The PlantPAx DCS monitors and controls a chemical extraction process that removes gold from discarded electronic devices like mobile phones and laptops. This technology, scaled up from lab level, is now operational in Llantrisant, Wales. The Royal Mint aims to reach a 4,000-ton per annum target for e-waste processing.

With global e-waste generation expected to exceed 80 million metric tons by 2030, this initiative contributes to improved recycling and recovery infrastructure, supporting sustainability efforts and the circular economy.

Positive

• Successful implementation of PlantPAx DCS in The Royal Mint's e-waste gold recovery facility
• Technology scaled up from lab level to operational facility, demonstrating commercial viability
• Potential for expansion and increased processing capacity, targeting 4,000 tons per annum
• Addresses growing global e-waste challenge, supporting sustainability and circular economy efforts

Negative

• None.

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / October 3, 2024 / The Royal Mint's new Precious Metals Recovery facility uses the PlantPAx® DCS (distributed control system) from Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK) to manage and control the gold extraction process.

After two years of design and manufacture, the plant is now operational and provides a strong foundation for further expansion of this technology to support the world's challenges with electronic waste, which is simply discarded electrical or electronic devices. The World Health Organization says it's the fastest growing solid waste stream in the world, increasing three times faster than the world's population.

The PlantPAx DCS at The Royal Mint's facility is used to monitor and control a chemical extraction process that can remove gold from e-waste such as printed circuit boards found in discarded mobile phones and laptops. The extraction technology, which was only at lab scale a few years ago, has been successfully scaled and is now operational at its site in Llantrisant, Wales.

E-waste is a major sustainability challenge across the globe, and technologies like this are essential towards carbon reduction and material re-use.

According to Statista, electronic waste is one of the world's fastest-growing waste streams. With 62 million metric tons generated across the world in 2022, the volume of discarded electronic material has nearly doubled since 2010. With e-waste generation forecast to exceed 80 million metric tons by 2030, improved recycling and recovery infrastructure will be needed.

Tony Baker, director of manufacturing innovation at The Royal Mint, said: "The successful collaboration with Rockwell and the deployment of its DCS solution allowed us to demonstrate the technical viability of the technology to operate at scale. This puts us firmly on the road to our 4,000-ton per annum target, and discussions are already well underway with regards to usage of the recovered materials, as are the plans to expand the technology further."

Learn more about Rockwell's work to support customers and boost the circular economy.

Rockwell's PlantPAx DCS is proving pivotal to the scaling and eventual commercial viability of a new E-Waste precious-metal-recovery technology at The Royal Mint. This photo of recovered e-waste gold is courtesy of The Royal Mint.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Rockwell Automation on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:
Spokesperson: Rockwell Automation
Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/rockwell-automation
Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Rockwell Automation

View the original press release on accesswire.com

FAQ

What is Rockwell Automation's role in The Royal Mint's e-waste recycling facility?

Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK) provided its PlantPAx DCS (distributed control system) to manage and control the gold extraction process in The Royal Mint's new Precious Metals Recovery facility.

How much e-waste is The Royal Mint's facility aiming to process annually?

The Royal Mint is targeting to process 4,000 tons of e-waste per annum at their Precious Metals Recovery facility in Llantrisant, Wales.

What type of e-waste does The Royal Mint's facility process for gold extraction?

The facility processes e-waste such as printed circuit boards found in discarded mobile phones and laptops to extract gold using a chemical extraction process.

How much global e-waste is expected to be generated by 2030?

According to the press release, global e-waste generation is forecast to exceed 80 million metric tons by 2030, highlighting the need for improved recycling and recovery infrastructure.