Webinar Recap: Printing Biodegradable PCBs

In this webinar, our Support Lead, Nathan Shinkar, was joined by Jack Herring, founder of Jiva Materials, to explore how Soluboard^®, a biodegradable PCB substrate, offers a sustainable alternative to traditional FR4 boards. The session included insights on sustainability in PCB prototyping, an in-depth look at Soluboard, and how easily it integrates with our V-One PCB printer.

Nathan kicked off the session with a look at how additive electronics, more specifically direct ink writing (DIW), help reduce e-waste:

• Print only where needed — less material waste
• No harsh chemicals or etching processes
• No need for offshoring or bulk orders — fewer shipping emissions
• Compatible with recyclable and biodegradable substrates like Soluboard®

As a DIW PCB printer, V-One supports eco-conscious development by enabling desktop additive PCB prototyping with conductive ink printing, solder paste dispensing, and reflow, all without relying on traditional subtractive manufacturing methods. For more advanced builds, the V-One also offers through-hole drilling to support double-sided circuits.

Jack Herring introduced Soluboard, a biodegradable and recyclable thermoplastic laminate made from natural fibers like jute and flax. Compared to FR4, Soluboard:

• Has a reduced carbon footprint of over 68% (up to 73% for thin substrates)
• Supports metal recovery via a non-hazardous hot-water recycling process
• Fully decomposes natural fiber layers in ~75 days post-recycling
• Is UL-recognized and compatible with through-hole and double-sided PCB designs
• Is already used by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for sustainability-compliant hardware development

Soluboard performs reliably in environmental and thermal testing, with lower thermal expansion than FR4—minimizing delamination and warping during soldering.

Soluboard integrates directly into the V-One workflow:

• Works with the V-One’s standard bake and reflow steps
• Supports two-sided PCB prototyping with drilling and rivet pressing
• Compatible with Voltera’s low-temp soldering process

Soluboard is now available in limited quantities through the Voltera Store.

• Q: How long does it take for Soluboard to biodegrade?
• A: ~75 days for natural fibers, after the recycling process.

• Q: Can it support multilayer or buried/blind vias?
• A: Multilayer support is on the roadmap (Q3-Q4 2025). Current minimum via diameter is 0.3 mm.

• Q: Can any PCB shop use Soluboard?
• A: Yes, with coordination through OEMs or direct inquiry to Jiva Materials.

• Q: What polymer is used in the blend?
• A: Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), chosen for performance and minimal environmental impact. For more information, refer to their patent document.

• Q: Is Soluboard compatible with immersion cooling or flexible PCBs?
• A: Soluboard is not currently designed for immersion-cooled or flex PCBs, but testing is ongoing.

• Q: What are the dielectric properties?
• A: Dielectric constant ranges from ~3.5 to 4, depending on fiber type.

• Q: How thin can the substrate go?
• A: Currently down to 0.3 mm, with thinner variants under development.

Want to learn more about sustainable PCB prototyping and how Voltera’s products help create greener electronics? Check out these resources:

• Patent: Jiva Materials’ patent document 
• Blog: Prototyping with Sustainable Conductive Nano Copper Ink
• Application: Additive PCB Prototyping

Ready to talk about how V-One can help you make green electronics? Book a meeting to speak with one of our technical representatives.