ICM releases IERC 2018 conference program

IERC (International Electronics Recycling Congress) 2018 brings together more than 500 representatives from recycling firms, manufacturers, recycling associations, standards bodies, refurbishers, nongovernment organizations, regulators and other stakeholders in electronics recycling in Salzburg, Austria, Jan. 17-19.

Attendees will discuss a variety of topics:

• challenges of the circular economy;
• worldwide take-back schemes, quotas and challenges original equipment manufacturers face;
• the role of recycling in the achievement of the sustainable development goals;
• how countries and electronics manufacturing companies can close the recycling loop;
• recycling of critical raw materials;
• recycling of renewable energy equipment;
• innovation in recycling technologies;
• country reports;
• supply chain transparency;
• transportation safety standards;
• business opportunities and models in emerging markets;
• reuse and refurbishment data security;
• the standards, compliance regulations and controls that support or fail the industry; and
• recycling of hazardous components, such as batteries, lamps, LCD, mercury, etc.

The program also includes speakers such as economist David McWilliams and Jinhui Li, a professor and expert on the Chinese circular economy.

The event also includes an exhibition area with more than 60 booths, while cocktail receptions and a dinner facilitate networking with business partners, friends and competitors.

The congress will offer workshops titled Lithium Batteries Transport & Safety Issues and WEEE Recycling Prospects: State-of-the-Art Data on Stocks and Flows of (Waste) Electrical and Electronic Equipment, Components and Materials in the Urban Mine and plant tours of EAR – Elektronik-Altgeräte-Recycling, Montanwerke Brixlegg AG and Müller-Guttenbrunn, Metran and MBA Polymers Austria.

More information about this event organized by Swiss company ICM is available at www.icm.ch/ierc-2018.