Precious Metals E-waste Recovery Market by Metal Type (Gold, Copper, Silver, and Others), Source (Home Appliances, Consumer Electronics, IT & Telecommunication Equipment, and Others), and Regional Analysis (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022–2030

Global Precious Metals E-waste Recovery Market Analysis

The global metal precious e-waste recovery market size was $9,434.5 million in 2021 and is predicted to grow with a CAGR of 7.0%, by generating a revenue of $18,645.2 million by 2030.

Global Metals Precious E-waste Recovery Market Synopsis

The increasing cost of precious metals such as silver, gold, and other equivalent metals is likely to boost demand for e-waste recovery in the future years. According to United Nation data, billions of dollars' worth of precious metals such as silver, copper, and gold were thrown, and 53.6 million tons of electronic waste was generated globally. Furthermore, a surge in e-waste is one of the major environmental dangers, which is likely to drive the precious metals e-waste recovery market throughout the research period. Moreover, some of the main manufacturers are executing a number of actions, such as new product launches and product advancements, to improve their product demand throughout the world.

However, recycling of consumer electronics & home appliances can be a source of several toxic chemicals such as organic compounds and metals. If a person is exposed to informal recycling of metals & organic compounds, it can cause health issues such as thyroid function changes, impaired lung function, and adverse neonatal outcomes. Such aspects are estimated to limit the market growth in the analysis time.

The development of new technologies in element extraction to optimize metal extraction is anticipated to fuel the growth opportunities for precious metals e-waste recovery market in the coming years. Additionally, a broad range of metals is required for achieving the transition towards e-waste as well as for the development of future high-tech applications. Microscopic pipework is one of the modern technologies that minimizes the cost and time required for extraction procedures by turning wastes into micro-fluids to boost the efficiency and efficacy of precious metals. This factor is expected to drive market expansion in the near future.

According to regional analysis, the Europe metal e-waste recovery market accounted for $xxx million in 2021 and is predicted to grow with a CAGR of xx% in the projected timeframe. The European Union (EU) has implemented a circular economy model for the disposal of electronic waste, which is encouraging businesses to use e-waste recycling methods.

 Precious Metals E-waste Recovery Overview

Precious metals are infrequent and have a high economic worth due to scarcity, chemical inertness, and high cost in industrial operations. There are four major precious metals silver, platinum, gold, and palladium. Precious metals e-waste recycling is the process of improving and recycling high-value elements from e-waste such as electronic garbage, home appliances, and other comparable wastes.

COVID-19 Impact on Global Precious Metals E-waste Recovery Market

The COVID-19 pandemic created multiple uncertainties, resulting in significant economic losses as different enterprises throughout the world came to a halt. As a result of supply chain interruptions, factory closures, and economic slowdowns in numerous countries, demand for precious metal e-waste recovery has eventually decreased. Furthermore, import-export limitations were imposed on key metal e-waste recovery market generating countries such as the U.S. and China. Several nations, for example, have mandated the sanitization of metals imported from China. Furthermore, the electronic and industrial sectors were hit the hardest in terms of sales and project acquisition, causing the precious metal e-waste recovery market demand to fall dramatically. However, in October 2021, according to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), recycling e-waste contributes to beneficial economic and environmental effects. These include goals of good health and wellbeing, clean water and sanitation decent work and economic growth, sustainable cities and communities as well as responsible consumption and production.

Precious metals are in high demand in industrial applications and as an investment tool

Real demand for precious metals such as copper, gold, silver, platinum, and palladium increases due to their usage in industrial applications. Copper is the most plentiful and least costly precious metal, and it has great electrical and thermal conductivity. As a result, copper is widely utilized in electrical power transmission, plumbing, and cookware. Gold is utilized in electronics, medicine, and dentistry because of its excellent conductivity and corrosion resistance. It is also utilized as a chemical catalyst in the manufacturing of medicinal drugs. However, the jewelry sector has a large effect on gold demand. Silver has mostly been employed in photography.

To know more about global precious metal e-waste recovery market drivers, get in touch with our analysts here.

Possible Health Issues Associated with E-waste Recovery to Restrain the Market Growth

Toxic substances such as mercury, lead, nickel, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), and brominated flame retardants pose a risk to materials such as copper and gold. Exposure to hazardous e-waste during pregnancy can have long-term repercussions for the unborn child's health and development. Stillbirth and preterm deliveries, as well as low birth weight and length, are all potential health risks. Lead exposure from e-waste recycling operations has been associated to considerably lower infant behavioral neurological assessment scores, higher rates of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), behavioral disorders, changes in child temperament, sensory integration difficulties, and worse cognitive and language scores.

New Technology Adoptions in Metal Extraction to Create Huge Investment Prospects

The continuous inclusion of modern technologies in element extraction to maximize metal extraction is expected to fuel development prospects in the precious metals e-waste recovery market in the next decades. Microscopic pipework, for example, is one of the sophisticated technologies that minimizes extraction costs and time by turning wastes into micro-fluids to boost the efficiency and efficacy of precious metals. This factor is expected to drive market expansion in the approaching years.

To know more about global precious metal e-waste recovery market opportunities, get in touch with our analysts here.

Global Precious Metals E-waste Recovery Market Share, by Metal Type

Based on metal type, the market has been divided into gold, copper, silver, and others. Among these, the gold sub-segment accounted for the highest market share in 2021 whereas the copper sub-segment is estimated to show the fastest growth during the forecast period.

Global Precious Metals E-waste Recovery Market Size, by Metal Type, 2021

Source: Research Dive Analysis

The gold sub-type is anticipated to have a dominant market share and generate a revenue of $6,405.5 million by 2030, growing from $3,176.7 million in 2021. Gold is utilized in consumer electronics and household appliances to resist corrosion and has great conductivity capabilities, as well as a high economic value, which are factors driving the need for gold recycling from e-waste. These reasons are driving engineers to extract gold from trash rather than acquiring new gold in order to reduce production costs, which is expected to accelerate market expansion over the analyzed period.

The copper sub-type is anticipated to show the fastest growth and generate a revenue of $4,003.7 million by 2030, increasing from $1,912.8 million in 2021. Copper consumption is expected to increase throughout the projection period due to its usage in electronic device manufacturing, transmission and electricity generation, building construction, and the fabrication of industrial machinery. Copper wiring and plumbing are also vital components of appliances, telecommunications links used in home and businesses on a regular basis and resulting in increasing usage throughout the forecast period.

Global Precious Metals E-waste Recovery Market Value, by Source

Based on source, the market has been divided into home appliances, consumer electronics, IT & telecommunication equipment, and others. Among these, the home appliances sub-segment accounted for highest revenue share in 2021.

Global Precious Metals E-waste Recovery Share, by Source, 2021

Source: Research Dive Analysis

The home appliances sub-segment is anticipated to have a dominant market share and generate a revenue of $5,437.4 million by 2030, growing from $2,826.7 million in 2021. Homemaking and domestic tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and food preservation are made easier by home appliances, which are electric and electromechanical devices. During the forecast period, there is expected to be an increase in demand for electronic home appliances due to population growth, urbanization, and increased disposable income. The consumer electronics sector is anticipated to be the second-largest source sector over the projection period.

Global Precious Metals E-waste Recovery Market Growth, Regional Insights

The methanol market was investigated across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

Global Precious Metals E-waste Recovery Market Size & Forecast, by Region, 2021-2030 (USD Million)

Source: Research Dive Analysis

The Market for Precious Metals E-waste Recovery in Asia-Pacific to be the Most Dominant

The Asia-Pacific metals e-waste recovery market accounted $4,270.1 million in 2021 and is projected to grow with a CAGR of 7.2%. This ongoing expansion is mostly due to the existence of densely populated nations such as China and India, as well as the proportionate use of IT and telecommunications technology. Labor availability and growing precious metals prices are also expected to drive growth of the Asia-Pacific market over the research period. Additionally, the Asia-Pacific has low e-waste recycling rates and frequently poor recycling rates are due to the lack of legislation governing the collection, processing and recovery of materials from e-waste, as well as the lack of infrastructure for e-waste processing 

Competitive Scenario in the Global Precious Metals E-waste Recovery Market

Investment and agreement are common strategies followed by major market players. For instance, in October 2020, EnviroLeach Technologies Inc. announced a scrap printed circuit board feedstock arrangement with an unnamed European provider worth 100 MT. The unnamed provider is a key participant in the electronic waste business with strong contacts in European and Asian markets. This advancement will assist EnviroLeach Technologies in expanding its geographic reach in European and Asian markets, as well as providing a consistent source of raw materials for precious metals recovery.

Source: Research Dive Analysis

Some of the leading precious metals e-waste recovery market players are Johnson Matthey, umicore, Materion Corporation, Boliden Group, Sims Lifecycle Services, Inc., TANAKA Holdings Co., Ltd., Metallix, TES, Heraeus Holding, and Enviroleach Technologies Inc.