It’s Only Common Sense: If You’re Not Differentiated, You’re Dead
Alpha Insights, Performance by Design: The Future of PCB Manufacturing in the Midwest
Happy’s Tech Talk #43: Engineering Statistics Training With Free Software
Sustainability and Selective Soldering
September 15, 2025 | Dr. Samuel J. McMaster, Pillarhouse InternationalEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Sustainability is more than just a buzzword for the electronics industry; it’s a key goal for all manufacturing processes. This is more than a box-ticking exercise or simply doing a small part for environmentally friendly processes. Moving toward sustainable solutions drives innovation and operational efficiency.
Reducing wastage in manufacturing can make processes more cost-efficient, thereby increasing the manufacturer's profit. Safety also must be considered.
We all have trusted products for certain tasks, but it’s not news to anyone working in electronics that many chemicals are hazardous. As an industry, we’ve moved away from leaded solder and adapted well to alternatives. There’s no reason we can’t adapt to other elements of the manufacturing process.
This article will explore the initiatives driven by the Global Electronics Association, the inclusion of sustainability as a topic at IPC APEX EXPO (and the articles presented therein), and how selective soldering as a manufacturing process can contribute to sustainability.
A Growing Momentum
The Global Electronics Association (formerly known as IPC) recently launched Evolve, a program designed to help companies accelerate their move to sustainable processes. This platform brings together relevant articles, educational materials, industry standards, and event information. Evolve will grow with the increasing industry demand for collaboration and resources.
Momentum is growing for sustainability solutions. In a white paper, “Wired for Change: Electronics Industry Sentiment on Sustainability,” co-authored by the Global Electronics Association and the Clean Electronics Production Network (CEPN), 59% of the companies in the survey report they will increase their focus on sustainability in 2025, and 78% report being optimistic about their ability to meet their sustainability goals.
The two highest drivers for increasing sustainability are regulatory compliance and company values or culture. Other drivers, such as cost savings and efficiency, technological advancement, competitive advantage, and consumer demands, were found to be influenced mostly by customers and regulatory bodies.
Continue reading this article in the Summer 2025 issue of Community Magazine, a publication of the Global Electronics Industry and I-Connect007.
Share on:
Testimonial
"Our marketing partnership with I-Connect007 is already delivering. Just a day after our press release went live, we received a direct inquiry about our updated products!"
Rachael Temple - AlltematedSuggested Items
Advanced Semiconductor Packaging Market Sees Rising Adoption Across Automotive and Industrial Sectors
10/14/2025 | openPRThe semiconductor packaging market size is estimated to reach at a CAGR of 7.2% during the forecast period (2024-2031).
Imec Launches 300mm GaN Program to Develop Advanced Power Devices and Reduce Manufacturing Costs
10/13/2025 | ImecImec, a world-leading research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies, welcomes AIXTRON, GlobalFoundries, KLA Corporation, Synopsys, and Veeco as first partners in its 300mm gallium-nitride (GaN) open innovation program track for low- and high-voltage power electronics applications.
NEDME Returns October 22 — The Northwest’s Premier Design & Manufacturing Expo
10/13/2025 | NEDMEThe Northwest Electronics Design & Manufacturing Expo (NEDME) returns on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at Wingspan Event & Conference Center, Hillsboro. The event brings together engineers, product designers, manufacturers, educators, and community partners for a full day of industry connection, learning, and networking.
Critical Minerals: The New Power Play in Global Trade
10/13/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007Access to critical minerals essential for electronics manufacturing, and China’s monopoly of them, is increasingly under scrutiny, with gallium (Ga) and germanium (Ge)at the forefront of this discourse. However, all critical minerals imported from China share a similar narrative, and understanding the implications of this dependency and the risks to both U.S. commercial and defense sectors has created an urgent need for a comprehensive electronics strategy to secure and diversify access to these vital minerals. In this candid interview, USPAE Executive Director Jim Will discusses the issues and the mitigation steps that must be taken to adequately address them.
Precision PCB Acquires Assets of Microplace
10/13/2025 | Precision Technologies Inc.Precision Technologies Inc., doing business as Precision PCB, a One-Stop PCB Fabrication and Assembly services company with 27 years of experience providing Quality, Reliability and Excellence in customer service, has acquired the assets of Microplace, Inc.