Biotechnological Innovations for Sustainable Flat Panel Displays Recycling

 The project tackles the recycling of Flat Panel Displays (FPD) waste, which contains valuable metals like indium, germanium, and gallium. This waste, from devices such as smartphones and tablets with LCD, LED, OLED, and QLED technologies, is rapidly growing in the e-waste sector. Currently, less than 1% of indium is recovered from end-of-life products, highlighting the urgent need for improved recycling methods. The BioPrep project aims to address this challenge by integrating sustainable biotechnological processes into the FPD recycling chain. It focuses on developing an efficient, low-carbon recycling technology using microbial processes. The project is a preliminary step towards a larger initiative to combine various biotechnological methods to recover all possible materials from waste displays, starting with bacteria that produce cellulose and progressing to those that dissolve metals. 

BioPrep's initiatives strategically combine the knowledge and experience of partners in the field of biotechnological solutions within the Danube region, specifically:

• Slovakia (start-up company Algajas)
• Czech Republic (VSB - Technical University of Ostrava)
• Slovenia (University of Maribor)

with support from Associated partners beyond the Danube Regions

• Institute of Environmental Engineering Polish Academy of Science
• Silesian University of Technology
• ZEOS, waste electrical and electronic equipment management, LLC.

Held on September 24, 2024

• Agenda:

  • Task distribution among project partners
  • Discussion on project management and coordination
  • Meeting with associated partners