IT & electronics are a sector where the number of applications of epoxy resins has been increasing sharply over the past few years. In light of their properties as electric insulators, epoxies are a vital component in internal circuits, transistors and printed circuit boards, LED’s, solar panels and many other devices. Without epoxies, essential everyday items such as smartphones or modern medical equipment like MRI scans would not exist.
Epoxies are easy to use thanks to their formulation versatility. Additional advantages include the absence of volatile organic compounds, and creation of less hazardous waste.
In terms of sales volumes, uses of epoxy resins in the home, leisure, ICT and medical sectors account for 36,000 tonnes of epoxy resins sold by Epoxy Europe members annually.[1]
GREATER AND SAFER ENERGY SUPPLY
Epoxy resins contribute to increase the reliability and efficiency of energy supply by lowering the costs of electrical transmission and distribution systems. Their properties are particularly useful for products working at high voltage levels, providing greater operational flexibility and durability. The use of epoxy resins brings benefits to end users and energy-intensive businesses alike, many of them being key economic drivers such as the manufacturing, distribution or logistics business.
DID YOU KNOW?
At the end of their life, electrical appliances must be collected in Europe in compliance with the Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)[2] Directive. Once collected, the appliances must be disposed of in compliance with the European waste[3] regulations. Epoxy coated parts of appliances are collected and processed at industrial plants to recover metals for re-use. The epoxy-based coating is converted into harmless degradation products during the processing of coated metal, reducing the overall environmental impact of its products.