Robotic microfactories will tackle electronic waste
11 October 2024 
ABB Robotics is collaborating with, and investing in, a US start-up called Molg to create robotic microfactories that will recover and recycle disused electronic equipment from data centres. With global e-waste projected to rise to 75 million tonnes by 2030, they believe that microfactories will play a vital role in reducing the waste.
Advances in computing such as AI and the cloud mean that data centres are having to upgrade and expand their facilities more frequently. They are major contributors to the 2.6 million tonnes of e-waste generated worldwide every year.
As an alternative to manual disassembly, incinerating equipment, or sending it to landfill, microfactories could solve many of the challenges associated with electronic waste. Automated disassembly reduces the risks associated with handling toxic elements that can damage the environment and human health, and releases workers from arduous and potentially dangerous tasks.
With many components also containing rare-earth elements (REEs), the ability to maximise their recovery through automation also provides an opportunity to re-use them to produce new equipment.
Molg’s robotic microfactory technology can assemble and disassemble complex electronic products including laptops and industrial electronics autonomously. In 2023, the company won ABB’s Accelerating Circularity Startup Challenge. ABB Robotics & Automation Ventures has invested in Molg.
“We are excited to have the support of ABB, a global leader in robotics and automation, as we continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible in circularity and automation,” says Molg’s co-founder and CEO, Rob Lawson-Shanks. “With this investment from ABB, we can accelerate our work to create more sustainable, circular manufacturing processes for electronics that ensure valuable materials are kept in circulation and enhance supply chain resilience.”
“Through this collaboration, we continue to realise our vision of helping organisations operate more efficiently and sustainably,” adds Craig McDonnell, MD of ABB Robotics’ industries business. “With Molg, we are creating new applications for industrial robotics in a growing segment with circularity and sustainability at the core.
“Our solution enables the upgrading and automated disassembly of data centre equipment, helping to create greater circularity in the data centre sector through responsible disposal, recycling, and re-use of components.”
