NOVITERA at IERC 2025 – Key Insights from the Electronics Recycling Industry

February 6, 2025

From January 22–24, 2025, Salzburg, Austria, hosted the 23rd International Electronics Recycling Congress (IERC 2025)—one of the most influential events dedicated to e-waste recycling, circular economy advancements, and sustainable resource management. The congress brought together over 300 experts from 40 countries, including recyclers, technology developers, researchers, and policymakers.

“IERC 2025 is the leading platform integrating innovation, legislation, and the practical implementation of electronics recycling,” said Jean Cox-Kearns, Chair of the IERC 2025 Steering Committee. The NOVITERA team actively participated in this congress, gaining insights into the latest recycling technologies and strengthening its expertise in an evolving market.

ES siekia stiprinti strateginę autonomiją atliekų tvarkymo srityje

IERC 2025 focused on the European Union’s strategy to strengthen its independence in waste management. The EU is investing heavily in recycling infrastructure, technological advances and regulatory frameworks to reduce its dependence on external suppliers, in particular the US and China. These initiatives are an important step towards a fully circular economy where secondary raw materials become an important part of industrial production.

Basel Convention Amendments: Key Implications for Businesses

Another critical topic was the implementation of the updated Basel Convention regulations, which came into effect on January 1, 2025. These amendments tighten regulations on the transboundary movement of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), introducing more stringent classification and approval processes.

Key regulatory challenges include:
✔️ Stricter permit requirements, making cross-border e-waste transportation more complex due to inconsistent national regulations.
✔️ Many countries remain unprepared for these new regulations, particularly in developing regions where waste management is not a top governmental priority.
✔️ Lack of a unified international tracking system, complicating regulatory compliance and enforcement.

These challenges raise concerns that if businesses and policymakers fail to reach common solutions, the volume of improperly processed e-waste could increase significantly.

NOVITERA’s Role in the Future of E-Waste Recycling

By participating in IERC 2025, NOVITERA gained valuable insights into global recycling trends, strengthened strategic partnerships and deepened its knowledge of circular economy practices. Electronics recycling is no longer just a compliance requirement – it has become a competitive advantage for companies focused on sustainability and resource efficiency.