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www.us-tech.com


Tech-Op-ed March 2026 SOUNDING OFF


By Michael Skinner Editor


Sustainability in Electronics Manufacturing


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ustainability has become a central talking point across the elec- tronics manufacturing industry. Trade show booths highlight eco-friendly materials. Corporate reports emphasize carbon re-


ductions. Marketing materials promise greener processes and respon- sible sourcing. On the surface, the industry appears to be moving de- cisively toward environmental responsibility. Look closer, however, and a more complicated reality emerges:


much of what is labeled “sustainable” in electronics manufacturing remains incremental, selective, or difficult to verify. In some cases, it borders on greenwashing. This isn’t because companies are indifferent to environmental


impact. It is because true sustainability in electronics manufacturing is extraordinarily complex — and addressing it meaningfully often conflicts with cost pressures, performance requirements, and supply chain realities. PCB production involves energy-intensive processes, chemical


treatments, copper etching, laminates derived from petrochemicals, and waste streams that require careful handling. While incremental improvements — such as reduced water consumption or safer chemistries — are valuable, they rarely transform the environmental footprint of the overall process. Yet such improvements are often pro- moted as major sustainability breakthroughs. Materials present another challenge. Lead-free solder, halogen-


free laminates, and low-VOC coatings are important developments, but each introduces tradeoffs in reliability, processing complexity, or lifecycle impact. Eliminating one environmental concern can inadver- tently introduce another. Sustainability claims rarely capture these tradeoffs in a transparent way. Energy consumption is an even larger blind spot. Electronics


manufacturing depends on energy-intensive processes including re- flow soldering, wave soldering, environmental testing, compressed air systems, and climate-controlled facilities. While companies may tout renewable energy credits or facility-level efficiency gains, few provide a full accounting of energy usage across the production lifecy- cle, including supplier tiers. Supply chain sustainability is perhaps the most difficult area to


address honestly. Raw materials, rare earth elements, semiconductor fabrication, and component manufacturing often occur in regions with varying environmental regulations and enforcement standards. Manufacturers may promote sustainability initiatives within their own facilities while relying on upstream processes that remain opaque. If the industry wants credibility, it must move beyond marketing


language and embrace transparency. That means acknowledging tradeoffs, publishing lifecycle data, and focusing on measurable out- comes rather than symbolic gestures. It also means recognizing that durability and reliability are themselves sustainability strategies. A product that lasts 15 years instead of five reduces material consump- tion, energy use, and waste far more than a marginal process im- provement.


Electronics manufacturing is indispensable to modern life and to


the technologies enabling a lower-carbon future, from renewable en- ergy systems to electric transportation. That importance makes gen- uine sustainability progress both more difficult and more necessary. The industry does not need perfect solutions overnight. It needs


clearer accounting, greater transparency, and a willingness to con- front uncomfortable realities. Until then, sustainability in electronics manufacturing risks remaining more of a branding exercise than a meaningful transformation. r


PUBLISHER’S NOTE


By Jacob Fattal Publisher


The Evolution of Trade Shows


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his issue of U.S. Tech focuses mainly on APEX Expo, which is one of the largest and most impactful electronics manufacturing trade shows in North America. In electronics manufacturing,


complexity matters. Equipment decisions involve high capital invest- ment, process integration, and long-term reliability. These are not choices made from a webpage or a video call. Engineers want to see machines run, examine build quality, ask detailed questions, and compare solutions side by side. Trade shows compress months of re- search into a single day of hands-on evaluation. But the future value of trade shows extends beyond equipment


demos. The most successful events are becoming collaboration hubs where manufacturers, suppliers, and customers exchange ideas, trou- bleshoot challenges, and explore emerging technologies together. In an era defined by supply chain volatility and rapid innovation, these face-to-face conversations build trust faster than any digital channel. Trade shows are also evolving into learning environments. Tech-


nical sessions, live line demonstrations, and real-world case studies provide insights that go far deeper than marketing materials. For younger professionals entering the industry, these events offer an ac- celerated education — a chance to understand the ecosystem, discov- er career paths, and build professional networks. The events themselves are changing, too. Expect more interac-


tive exhibits, working production lines, AI-driven demonstrations, and hybrid tools that extend engagement before and after the show. Rather than replacing physical events, digital platforms will amplify their reach and longevity. Trade shows remain one of the few places where the entire elec-


tronics manufacturing ecosystem converges. In the years ahead, their role will only grow more important — not as marketplaces alone, but as cat- alysts for innovation, partnership, and industry progress. r


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