New “smart” adhesive for electronics: a breakthrough for recycling technological waste

An adhesive that conducts electricity and can be removed on command could change the way end-of-life electronic devices are disassembled and recovered. This is the innovation developed by a research group at Newcastle University, which has created a material designed to facilitate the recycling and repair of electronic components.

The project stems from collaboration between electrical and chemical engineers and is part of an existing line of research on reversible adhesives, initially intended mainly for the packaging sector. The novelty in this case is the introduction of electrical conductivity, which allows the adhesive to function within electronic circuits without compromising their subsequent separation.

The material is able to maintain good bonding strength, comparable to that of other water-based adhesives, but with a key advantage: it can be “deactivated” and removed when needed. Component detachment is achieved using solvents such as acetone or alkaline solutions, which allow materials to be recovered without damaging them.

It is a water-based adhesive formulated as a single-component system, requiring no organic solvents or separate curing agents. This choice reduces the presence of volatile organic compounds, which are often associated with traditional adhesive products, potentially bringing environmental benefits as well.

From a production standpoint, the material is manufactured using processes similar to those used for industrial paints. Silver particles are incorporated into the matrix, providing electrical conductivity. This is a well-known solution in some electronic applications, but it has so far been limited by a structural problem: existing conductive adhesives are generally permanent and difficult to separate, making repair and material recovery complicated.

The researchers’ goal is therefore twofold: on one hand to improve the repairability of electronic devices, and on the other to reduce the impact of electronic waste, promoting a more efficient circular economy model in the electronics sector.

For industry professionals, the appointment is ABS Europe 2026 – Adhesives Bonding & Sealants, the first event in Italy and the Mediterranean area dedicated to adhesives, glues, sealants, foams, tapes, resins, coatings, laminates and films, scheduled from 27 to 29 October 2026 at Fiera di Vicenza.