ABB To Create Robotic Microfactories for Tackling Data Center e-Waste

ABB Robotics’ partnership with American start-up firm Molg is set to address the rising problem of electronic waste (e-waste). The collaboration aims to develop robotic microfactories to handle e-waste disassembly and recovery, addressing the impact these wastes pose on the environment.

ABB Robotics and Molg’s microfactory solution offers an alternative to manual electronic disassembly for e-waste management. Image used courtesy of ABB Robotics

The Challenge of e-Waste

With the growth in technologies like machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud computing, data centers are constantly upgrading and expanding their operations. This rapid technological evolution has contributed to a massive increase in e-waste. According to ABB, data centers alone generate an annual e-waste of about 2.6 million tons. By 2030, the amount is expected to reach 75 million tons globally. ABB Robotics and Molg are attempting to address this growing challenge of data center e-waste management by jointly developing robotic microfactories.

Robotic Microfactories

ABB Robotics and Molg's robotic microfactories will be designed as advanced automated solutions for disassembling and recovering complex components like servers, laptop PCs, and other industrial electronics. One of the key benefits of automating disassembly is the improvement of worker safety by reducing the risk of handling toxins in electronic devices that otherwise pose health and environmental hazards. These robotic microfactories also help foster a circular economy by enabling efficient recovery of valuable components like rare earth elements, which can be reused to manufacture new electronic products.

Targeting IT asset deposition companies and hyperscale data centers, the new robotic microfactories are set to reduce the environmental impact of sending e-waste to incinerators or landfills, ensuring that more materials are kept within the supply chain.

With the aid of robotic microfactories, old electronic components from data centers can be reused in new equipment. Image used courtesy of Adobe Stock

ABB Robotics and Molg

Molg has received support from ABB Robotics not only through strategic collaboration but also through investments. ABB Robotics & Automation Ventures, a venture capital branch of ABB Robotics, took part in the seed funding round for Molg, along with notable partners like Overture, Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund, Techstars Ventures, and Elemental Impact.

In the 2023 ABB Accelerating Circularity Startup Challenge, Molg's robotic microfactories were recognized as winners, highlighting the potential of the solution to disrupt the traditional approach to e-waste management. According to Craig McDonnell, the Managing Director of Business Line Industries at ABB Robotics, the collaboration aligns with ABB Robotics’ vision of assisting organizations in enhancing sustainability and efficiency. He also expressed the focus on circularity and sustainability with the collaborative solution, which allows modernization and automated disassembly of data center equipment for more responsible disposal, reuse, and recycling of electronic components.

Adding to McDonnell's sentiments, Molg's CEO and Cofounder Rob Lawson-Shanks echoed his excitement to receive ABB's support. He added that with ABB's investments, circular manufacturing processes and sustainability can accelerate work, further enhancing supply chain resilience.

ABB Robotics and Molg’s partnership focuses on ushering in circularity and sustainability in automation. Image used courtesy of ABB Robotics

Circularity in Automation

With the continual growth of data centers and other industries, innovations like robotic microfactories offer the potential to handle e-waste responsibly. This is backed by ABB's commitment to drive change and Molg's forward-thinking solution that promises sustainability and a balance of economic potential through the recovery and reuse of valuable materials.