From fast tech to future-proof: the evolution of sustainable electronics

The electronics industry has never stood still. From the earliest circuits to today’s most advanced designs, electronics have shaped modern society 一 powering the way we communicate, travel and do business. Now the industry faces its next major evolution: integrating sustainability into the electronics of the future.

As the leader of the global electronics association, IPC, and with more than 20 years’ experience in the electronics industry, I have witnessed firsthand how the sector has evolved. I see two undeniable realities.

The first is that the electronics industry has certainly faced sustainability challenges. E-waste, for instance, is one of the fastest-growing solid waste streams in the world.

The other reality is that electronics will be imperative for solving sustainability challenges.

This industry has the potential to drive solutions for some of the world’s most pressing environmental issues — from reducing energy consumption to improving water conservation and optimizing resource efficiency. And in solving these issues, there is an opportunity for reinvention and renewal across every element of electronics manufacturing.

Companies investing in sustainability today already recognize the broader business advantages it brings. According to IPC’s recent survey of the global electronics industry, 58 percent of electronics leaders pointed to cost saving and operational efficiency as key motivators for sustainability efforts, while 55 percent identified sustainability as a competitive advantage. Regardless of shifting policies, companies investing in sustainable solutions today are building more resilient businesses for tomorrow.

Across the industry, companies are integrating sustainability-driven innovations that are transforming how electronics are made. Advanced water purification systems now allow manufacturers to take in water only once, purify it after use, and recycle it indefinitely, significantly reducing consumption. Some facilities have already reclaimed tens of millions of gallons annually, with others cutting usage by nearly 20 percent through recycling technologies.

As these advancements become standard, sustainability is cementing itself as a core pillar of the electronics industry’s future. The industry is innovating new materials that minimize the use of lead, reduce waste via circular materials, lower energy consumption and material costs — all while providing a final product that is safer for the health of humans and the planet.

But true progress requires more than individual action. Recently, I interviewed executives from Northrop Grumman and TTM Technologies (TTM) about their efforts to advance sustainability in electronics. Both emphasized the importance of working in lock step to bring their sustainability initiatives to life. Companies within the electronics industry have never existed in a silo: Rather, we use one another’s products and build off industry knowledge — always innovating, always evolving, always collaborating. We are one another’s key stakeholders. Northrop Grumman, for instance, uses TTM’s printed circuit boards in its operations. When it comes to sustainability, discussing individual companies’ goals and roadmaps is essential to enabling the success of the entire industry.

What countless conversations such as this one have made clear is that, for the electronics industry, sustainability isn’t just a goal — it’s a leadership priority. The companies that embrace it now are defining the industry’s next chapter, and they can’t do it alone. Working together across the entire electronics ecosystem will enable a sustainable future for the industry.

There are still substantial headwinds that companies face in accelerating sustainability efforts at scale, including budget constraints, the complexity of implementation and uncertainty around regulations and compliance. In today’s business climate, economic pressures and shifting market demands have led some companies to reevaluate the speed and scope of their sustainability commitments.

Collaboration is crucial to address these headwinds, allowing the industry as a collective to be more efficient and effective in achieving sustainability goals. In action, this will take many forms: Internal cross-departmental collaboration will bring sustainability initiatives to quality assurance, design, legal counsel and beyond. Industry subsector collaboration will enable initiatives that collectively address Scope 3 emissions or that can drive untold efficiencies to PCB manufacturers’ products. Industry associations and organizations such as IPC can facilitate the industry’s collaboration and effectiveness.

IPC’s recent survey indicates that nearly 60 percent of electronics industry leaders expect their company’s sustainability efforts to increase over the next year, and 78 percent are optimistic about meeting their sustainability goals. What this indicates to me is that companies embracing sustainability see it as an investment in long-term competitiveness, operational efficiency and industry leadership. The question is no longer whether sustainability should be prioritized, but how to embed it into every stage of the industry’s growth. Ensuring these efforts are collaborative and scalable is key to long-term success.

That’s why IPC is launching Evolve—a program designed to bring together the brightest minds in electronics manufacturing to shape a sustainable future, faster and with more efficiency. Our members want guidance, education and real-world solutions to make sustainability practical and scalable. From sharing best practices to offering implementation support, Evolve is the go-to hub for companies committed to leading this transition.

No single company can transform the industry. As the global electronics association, IPC has the ability — and the responsibility — to convene industry leaders, set new standards and drive collective action via education, industry intelligence and advocacy efforts.

Sustainability isn’t just the next step in electronics — it’s the future of the industry. Those who act now won’t just evolve; they’ll lead. From engineers to recyclers, designers to manufacturers, we need an all-of-industry approach to accelerate electronics’ sustainable evolution. If you’re in the electronics manufacturing industry, we invite you to Evolve with us.