Beyond FR-4: a comparative life cycle assessment of traditional and green PCB substrates

Moupali Chakraborty

doi:10.3390/engproc2026127007

Beyond FR-4: a comparative life cycle assessment of traditional and green PCB substrates

Moupali Chakraborty

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

Abstract

This study compares the environmental impacts of traditional and biodegradable PCB substrate materials using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in GaBi (version number 9.2.1.68). It presents the first cradle-to-grave model of FR4-based rigid PCBs. Results show that conventional substrates (FR4, PI) have high global warming potential (~20 kg CO2-eq/kg) and energy use, with poor recyclability. Biodegradable alternatives (PLA, PBAT) show much lower impacts (~4 kg CO2-eq/kg) and better end-of-life performance. PET offers moderate recyclable performance, while paper (~6 kg CO2-eq/kg) is fully biodegradable and recyclable. Overall, biodegradable substrates, especially PLA, PBAT, and paper, provide clear sustainability advantages, with PET as a practical transitional option.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Engineering Proceedings
Subtitle of host publication	REACT 2025
Place of Publication	Basel, Switzerland
Publisher	Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
Number of pages	5
Volume	127
Edition	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2026127007
Publication status	Published - 27 Feb 2026
Event	1st International Conference on Responsible Electronics and Circular Technologies - Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC), Glasgow, United Kingdom Duration: 11 Nov 2025 → 12 Nov 2025 https://www.react.ac.uk/

Publication series

Name	Engineering Proceedings
Publisher	MDPI
ISSN (Electronic)	2673-4591

Conference

Conference	1st International Conference on Responsible Electronics and Circular Technologies
Abbreviated title	REACT 2025
Country/Territory	United Kingdom
City	Glasgow
Period	11/11/25 → 12/11/25
Internet address	https://www.react.ac.uk/

Access to Document

10.3390/engproc2026127007Licence: CC BY

Cite this

@inproceedings{112c054c080a45b4ae8ab9dacc804719,

title = "Beyond FR-4: a comparative life cycle assessment of traditional and green PCB substrates",

abstract = "This study compares the environmental impacts of traditional and biodegradable PCB substrate materials using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in GaBi (version number 9.2.1.68). It presents the first cradle-to-grave model of FR4-based rigid PCBs. Results show that conventional substrates (FR4, PI) have high global warming potential (\textasciitilde{}20 kg CO2-eq/kg) and energy use, with poor recyclability. Biodegradable alternatives (PLA, PBAT) show much lower impacts (\textasciitilde{}4 kg CO2-eq/kg) and better end-of-life performance. PET offers moderate recyclable performance, while paper (\textasciitilde{}6 kg CO2-eq/kg) is fully biodegradable and recyclable. Overall, biodegradable substrates, especially PLA, PBAT, and paper, provide clear sustainability advantages, with PET as a practical transitional option.",

author = "Moupali Chakraborty",

year = "2026",

month = feb,

day = "27",

doi = "10.3390/engproc2026127007",

language = "English",

volume = "127",

series = "Engineering Proceedings",

publisher = "Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)",

booktitle = "Engineering Proceedings",

address = "Switzerland",

edition = "1",

note = "1st International Conference on Responsible Electronics and Circular Technologies , REACT 2025 ; Conference date: 11-11-2025 Through 12-11-2025",

url = "https://www.react.ac.uk/",

}

Chakraborty, M 2026, Beyond FR-4: a comparative life cycle assessment of traditional and green PCB substrates. in Engineering Proceedings: REACT 2025. 1 edn, vol. 127, 7, Engineering Proceedings, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), Basel, Switzerland, 1st International Conference on Responsible Electronics and Circular Technologies , Glasgow, United Kingdom, 11/11/25. https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2026127007

Beyond FR-4: a comparative life cycle assessment of traditional and green PCB substrates. / Chakraborty, Moupali.
Engineering Proceedings: REACT 2025. Vol. 127 1. ed. Basel, Switzerland: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2026. 7 (Engineering Proceedings).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

TY - GEN

T1 - Beyond FR-4

T2 - 1st International Conference on Responsible Electronics and Circular Technologies

AU - Chakraborty, Moupali

PY - 2026/2/27

Y1 - 2026/2/27

N2 - This study compares the environmental impacts of traditional and biodegradable PCB substrate materials using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in GaBi (version number 9.2.1.68). It presents the first cradle-to-grave model of FR4-based rigid PCBs. Results show that conventional substrates (FR4, PI) have high global warming potential (~20 kg CO2-eq/kg) and energy use, with poor recyclability. Biodegradable alternatives (PLA, PBAT) show much lower impacts (~4 kg CO2-eq/kg) and better end-of-life performance. PET offers moderate recyclable performance, while paper (~6 kg CO2-eq/kg) is fully biodegradable and recyclable. Overall, biodegradable substrates, especially PLA, PBAT, and paper, provide clear sustainability advantages, with PET as a practical transitional option.

AB - This study compares the environmental impacts of traditional and biodegradable PCB substrate materials using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in GaBi (version number 9.2.1.68). It presents the first cradle-to-grave model of FR4-based rigid PCBs. Results show that conventional substrates (FR4, PI) have high global warming potential (~20 kg CO2-eq/kg) and energy use, with poor recyclability. Biodegradable alternatives (PLA, PBAT) show much lower impacts (~4 kg CO2-eq/kg) and better end-of-life performance. PET offers moderate recyclable performance, while paper (~6 kg CO2-eq/kg) is fully biodegradable and recyclable. Overall, biodegradable substrates, especially PLA, PBAT, and paper, provide clear sustainability advantages, with PET as a practical transitional option.

U2 - 10.3390/engproc2026127007

DO - 10.3390/engproc2026127007

M3 - Conference contribution

VL - 127

T3 - Engineering Proceedings

BT - Engineering Proceedings

PB - Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)

CY - Basel, Switzerland

Y2 - 11 November 2025 through 12 November 2025

ER -

Beyond FR-4: a comparative life cycle assessment of traditional and green PCB substrates

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Cite this