Engineering Design Show 2025: A Powerful Showcase of Sustainable Innovation
Inside EDS 2025 – How Soluboard® is Inspiring the Next Generation of Sustainable Design
The dust has settled after another incredible Engineering Design Show (EDS), and what a two days it was. Held on 8-9 October 2025 at the Coventry Building Society Arena, the event once again proved why it’s the UK’s leading exhibition for mechanical, electronic, and embedded design.
With over 200 exhibitors, 50+ workshops and conference sessions, and thousands of visitors from across the design and manufacturing landscape, EDS 2025 offered a vibrant look at where engineering is headed – and how sustainability is becoming a central part of that journey.
For Jiva Materials Ltd, it was an unforgettable experience. We had the privilege of showcasing Soluboard®, the world’s first fully recyclable PCB substrate, live on the show floor at Booth C72, alongside our exceptional design and engineering partners STUDIO 29 and FACTORY 31.
Showcasing Soluboard®: Real Sustainability in Action
Throughout the two days, our booth attracted a constant flow of engineers, designers, and innovators eager to learn how Soluboard® is redefining what’s possible in sustainable electronics.
Soluboard® replaces traditional glass-fibre and epoxy laminates with a natural-fibre composite and water-soluble polymer, delivering a PCB substrate that’s not only recyclable and biodegradable, but also compatible with existing fabrication processes.
When exposed to hot water, Soluboard®’s polymer dissolves, enabling recovery of valuable components and copper without the need for acid baths or incineration. This allows electronic assemblies to be disassembled cleanly, giving a second life to components and reducing the environmental impact of electronic waste – which currently accounts for over 40% of global e-waste.
At EDS 2025, we demonstrated how Soluboard® supports plated through-hole (PTH) technology, multi-layer builds, and robust electrical performance. Visitors could handle working prototypes and see first-hand how the material performs under real-world conditions.
The response was overwhelmingly positive – from engineers curious about its technical performance to sustainability officers eager to integrate circular materials into future product lines.
Collaboration in the Spotlight: STUDIO 29 & FACTORY 31
We were thrilled to share our booth with Robert Gibbs and the teams from STUDIO 29 and FACTORY 31, whose creative and technical expertise helped bring our stand (and message) to life.
Engineering Design Show 2025
Together, our partnership represents the future of product development – where design, engineering, and sustainability converge. Their experience in industrial design, mechanical prototyping, and product visualisation provided the perfect complement to Jiva’s material innovation.
Across the two days, we showcased collaborative projects and concept prototypes that demonstrated how Soluboard® can be integrated into practical, beautifully designed products – proving that environmental responsibility and world-class engineering can go hand in hand.
Stephen Driver’s Talk: From Ideation to Concept and Scale
A highlight of the show was Stephen Driver, CEO of Jiva Materials Ltd, speaking on Thursday, 9 October at 12:30 PM in Workshop Theatre 1. His session, titled “From Ideation to Concept and Scale,” drew a full audience and sparked insightful conversations about the realities of taking deep-tech innovation from lab to market.
Stephen shared Jiva’s journey – from early R&D and pilot testing to the complexities of scaling a material innovation in a traditional industry. His presentation covered:
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Navigating Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) and aligning R&D with commercial goals
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The importance of grant funding and investor partnerships in deep-tech growth
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How to maintain momentum and focus through the long path of product validation
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The true cost of scaling sustainable innovation in the electronics sector
Audience feedback was fantastic. Many attendees commented on how refreshingly honest and practical the talk was – tackling both the technical and business realities of transforming the electronics supply chain.
Reflections from the Floor
Across both days, several key themes dominated conversations at EDS 2025:
| Theme | Key Insight |
|---|---|
| AI & Generative Design | Engineers are now using AI as a design collaborator, from topology optimisation to manufacturability checks. |
| Circular & Sustainable Design | Materials like Soluboard® are gaining attention as companies seek to reduce embedded carbon and enable reuse. |
| Rapid Prototyping & Embedded Systems | Advances in additive manufacturing and sensor integration are accelerating the pace of innovation. |
| Cost-Efficient Development | Talks repeatedly highlighted the value of managing cost and sustainability from the earliest design stages. |
| Skills for the Future | The talent conversation was front and centre — building engineering capability in sustainability, AI, and data-driven design. |
From what we saw, the engineering community is ready to take sustainability mainstream. The shift from “why” to “how” was tangible – and Soluboard® resonated strongly as a real, production-ready solution.
Why EDS Matters
The Engineering Design Show isn’t just an exhibition; it’s a meeting ground for ideas and partnerships. It brings together everyone from large OEMs and component suppliers to research teams and emerging startups – each with a shared passion for innovation.
For Jiva, being part of EDS 2025 wasn’t just about showcasing Soluboard® – it was about being part of a broader movement. Every conversation, demo, and question reflected a genuine desire to make electronics smarter, cleaner, and more circular.
We connected with design consultancies eager to prototype on Soluboard®, PCB manufacturers exploring sustainable options for clients, and investors interested in supporting the next phase of our commercial growth.
Looking Ahead
As we return from Coventry, our focus is firmly on the next phase of commercial scaling. With Soluboard® production ramping up and our partnerships expanding across Europe, we’re excited to build on the momentum from EDS.
If there was one takeaway from this year’s event, it’s that sustainability is no longer an optional feature – it’s an expectation. Engineers and designers are ready to adopt solutions that deliver performance and responsibility.
Jiva will continue working with partners like STUDIO 29, FACTORY 31, and our growing network of manufacturers and OEMs to make sustainable PCBs a mainstream choice.
Thank You
A huge thank you to everyone who visited Booth C72, attended Stephen’s session, or shared ideas with our team. Your enthusiasm, curiosity, and feedback fuel our mission to redefine the lifecycle of electronics.
Stay connected with us on LinkedIn (@JivaMaterials) and visit jivamaterials.com for upcoming event recaps, new pilot project announcements, and insights into how Soluboard® is shaping the future of sustainable electronics.