(1) The complete assembly of a technology compliant bio-based multilayer PCB, bioPCB (printed circuit board)
(2) An environmentally friendly and time-efficient bioleaching process,
(3) A circular by design approach, materialized by guidelines for further uptake,
(4) An advanced, cost-effective but large proof of concept attracting 2000 – 5000 students,
responsible citizens and industries, from learners to prosumers.

The “circular by design” concept is reshaping electronic board design rules. By taking advantage from the bio-based nature of these materials and expertise in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and environmental microbiology, we can significantly go beyond the state of the art and address the limitations of bio-based materials, notably in terms of thermal properties, through the following approaches:

1. Reduce harmful E-waste potential: we will select the laminate’s structure and composition focusing on bio-polymers, reinforcement mapping, flame retardants (FR), and transitioning from a linear to a circular design model.
2. Eco-friendly recycling: we aim to recycle conductive materials and substrates using bioleaching and controlled biodegradation, which will consume less energy and emit fewer pollutants compared to the current methods. This involves studying the toxicity of flame retardants and other additives (such as solder masks and conductive coatings) on the involved microorganisms.
3. Dynamic Life Cycle Assessment: a top-down methodology will be implemented to characterize the life-cycle of the bio-sourced printed circuit boards (PCBs), utilising direct on- site measurements. The innovation lies in using LCA as a continuously updated tool rather than a retrospective one, with consortium members participating at various life-cycle stages.
4. Proof of Concept: we will fabricate and disseminate a lab-scale POC for an eco-friendly micro-controller based embedded system board, producing an initial batch of 2,000 pieces.