Greener electronics, from the ground up.
Soluboard® is a glass-fibre-free PCB laminate offering a lower carbon footprint than FR-4, reduced weight and competitive material pricing — developed for established PCB manufacturing processes.
The Summary.
Jiva is a UK advanced materials company focused on reducing the carbon footprint of electronics through practical alternatives to conventional printed circuit board (PCB) laminates.
Our flagship material, Soluboard®, replaces the glass-fibre reinforcement and thermoset epoxy typically found in FR-4 with natural cellulosic fibres and a proprietary thermoplastic polymer. This glass-fibre-free construction creates an alternative raw-material supply chain at a time when conventional PCB materials face increasing demand and cost pressure.
A comparative assessment with the University of Portsmouth found 68% lower cradle-to-gate CO₂ emissions for Soluboard® laminate than for FR-4. Soluboard® is also approximately 37% lighter, with material pricing developed to compete with conventional laminates.
Soluboard® is supplied as copper-clad laminate (CCL) for use by established PCB fabricators. Single-sided and two-layer plated-through-hole (PTH) boards are viable, with fabrication parameters and low-temperature assembly processes tailored to the material.
Jiva works with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), PCB fabricators and electronics assembly partners to take applications from design review and prototype through qualification and towards volume supply.
The material also offers a controlled hot-water separation process at end of life, making recovery and recycling a further benefit alongside carbon reduction, cost competitiveness and supply-chain resilience.
Glass fibre-free. Competitively priced.
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The Problem.
Conventional PCB laminates are fundamental to electronics manufacturing, but their environmental impact and exposure to raw-material supply constraints are often overlooked.
FR-4 combines glass-fibre reinforcement with thermoset epoxy resin. Its constituent materials and processing contribute to embodied carbon, while its permanently bonded structure makes material separation and recovery difficult at end of life.
At the same time, growing demand from AI infrastructure, electrification and other high-performance electronics is placing pressure on PCB materials and capacity. For cost-sensitive, high-volume product categories, supply continuity and competitive pricing are becoming increasingly important.
Electronics manufacturers therefore face a combined challenge: reduce Scope 3 emissions while protecting product performance, availability and cost. Changing the materials at the foundation of the PCB can address all three priorities without requiring a wholesale redesign of the electronics supply chain.
The Solution.
Soluboard® is a lower-carbon, glass-fibre-free alternative to conventional rigid FR-4 laminate, designed to combine environmental performance with the technical and commercial requirements of electronics manufacturing.
The material uses natural cellulosic fibres reinforced with Solvanta™, Jiva’s proprietary thermoplastic polymer platform. Its construction avoids conventional glass-fibre reinforcement, helping diversify raw-material sourcing. A dry lamination process is being developed for energy-efficient, scalable production.
In the assessed laminate comparison, Soluboard® delivered 68% lower cradle-to-gate CO₂ emissions than FR-4. The material is also approximately 37% lighter. Indicative like-for-like pricing research in China supports its potential to compete strongly on laminate cost, although prices vary with specification, volume and market conditions.
Soluboard® is designed for established PCB fabrication equipment and processes, including etching, drilling, routing and plated-through-hole production. Suitable low-temperature soldering is required at the assembly stage, so each application is reviewed against its technical requirements.
At end of life, controlled hot-water treatment can separate Soluboard®’s thermoplastic binder and reinforcement, supporting the recovery of copper and electronic components for appropriate downstream handling.
Proud members of
The European Institute for the PCB Community (EIPC) is an expanding international service provider to the European Interconnection and Packaging Industry. The EIPC has serviced 120 member companies since 1968, including machinery suppliers, materials and software tools to the PCB industry, along with PCB manufacturers and OEMs. Business owners, senior management and technical staff find the EIPC is an efficient platform for following new developments in the industry.
The Institute of Circuit Technology (ICT) was established in 1974. Since then, it has successfully provided technology-based training and seminars to the UK’s PCB technologists and engineers, keeping them up to speed with developments in the industry. The ICT facilitates improvement in standards by providing opportunities for its membership to improve their knowledge of manufacturing process technologies, materials, and practices through research, discussion and seminars around the country.
The Global Electronics Association (formerly IPC) is a leading international trade association representing the global electronics industry. The Association supports manufacturers, suppliers and technology innovators through the development of industry standards, certification, education and collaboration. Its mission is to strengthen the global electronics supply chain, advance manufacturing excellence and support innovation across the industry.