Tantalum Recycling Expands Processing Capabilities

Tantalum Recycling is spending over $1 million in chemical processing improvements to up its capabilities, the Environmental Leader reports. The company focuses on reclaiming capacitor-grade tantalum.
As quoted in the publication:

The company says electronics recyclers (e-cyclers), materials purchasers, recycling equipment manufacturers, and environmental officials in the recycling industry can help conserve the limited global supply of tantalum by turning the used tantalum capacitors in the e-waste stream into cash.
Tantalum is a rare metal element used in the manufacturing of capacitors, which are found in virtually all types of consumer electronics. Based on current extraction rates, it has been estimated that there is less than 50 years of raw tantalum material remaining on the planet.
Additionally, since capacitor-grade tantalum material is classified as a conflict mineral due to the fact that tantalum powder is primarily mined in unstable regions of the world (e.g., central Africa), it is subject to strict international industry regulations governing its procurement and use in the electronics supply chain.

Click here to read the full article from the Environmental Leader.