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Harnessing biotechnology for sustainable metal valorization from solar panel waste
Majd, Alireza Eslami Adebayo, David S. Stoeva, Zlatka
Majd, Alireza Eslami
Adebayo, David S.
Stoeva, Zlatka
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2025-10-20
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Abstract
Rapid expansion of the renewable energy sector has generated a growing stream of discarded solar panels, posing a formidable environmental challenge in our environmentally conscious world. Bioleaching, a process involving various microbe-enzyme mediated techniques, is emerging as a transformative approach for valorizing solar panel waste into valuable resources. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of enzyme- and microbe-driven bioleaching techniques for extracting various elements such as copper or aluminum, from solar panels, incorporating the latest research findings spanning the last decade. Particular attention is given to the removal of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) resins, a common solar panel component, along with a detailed table of biopolymers used in selective and non-selective metal recovery, highlighting their principles, advantages, and disadvantages. This synthesis aims to illuminate the evolving landscape of bioleaching technologies and their pivotal role in promoting sustainable solar panel recycling.
Citation
Johnston, B., Ekere, A.I., Majd, A.E., Adebayo, D.S., Stoeva, Z., Radecka, I. and Tchuenbou-Magaia, F. (2026) Harnessing biotechnology for sustainable metal valorization from solar panel waste. Waste Management, 209, 115188.
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PubMed ID
41118694 (pubmed)
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Journal article
Language
en
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© 2025 The Authors, published by Elsevier. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence.
The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2025.115188
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ISSN
0956-053X
EISSN
1879-2456
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This work was partially supported by the University of Wolverhampton Research Investment Fund (RIF4); Innovate UK project No: 833831 and by the ReACTIVE Too project that has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research, Innovation and Staff Exchange Program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (Project No. 871163).