March 11, 2021
UL is pleased to announce the Solar Applied Materials Technology Corp (Solar), a Taiwanese manufacturer and trader of precious metals, has become the first in the precious metal and rare material refining industry to achieve UL 2809 Recycled Content Validation.
According to the United Nation’s Global E-waste Monitor 2020, in 2019, precious metals like gold, silver copper and platinum in the amount of $57 billion US dollars were dumped or burned rather than collected for reuse. Direct disposal of electronic waste pollutes the environment and wastes precious natural resources.
With no direct natural source of gold, Taiwan relies exclusively on imported industrial gold. Based on growing demand for gold and other precious metals for use in the manufacture of electronics, Solar has developed gold recovery and refining capabilities locally to provide recycled gold and other precious metals to local manufacturers. Solar has earned the UL 2809, Recycled Content Validation, ensuing that their processes use recycled materials and divert waste from the landfill.
“Committed to pursuing increasingly circular economy, Solar’s vision prioritizes sustainability while providing materials for a better life. With UL 2809 Validation, we can ensure our customers that the gold they purchase from us are generated from 100% recycled materials,” said C.F. Huang, GM of Solar.
With two precious metals, gold (AU) and Indium (IN) earning UL 2809 Validation, customers of Solar can source 100% recycled metals for use in everything from gold bars used for consumer products such as jewelry, to gold slug used in the LED industry or Indium, which is commonly used in displays.
“The first supplier of precious metals to earn UL 2809 Validation, Solar sets the bar for other providers of resources and materials, encouraging them to prioritize sustainability in their processes and offerings. We congratulate Solar on this significant accomplishment toward achieving a more circular economy for all,” said Doug Lockard, vice president and general manager, Retail and Consumer Products, UL.
With the provision of UL 2809 Recycled Content Validated materials, Solar hopes to offer Taiwanese companies a cost effective, sustainable option for gold needed for their products. To learn more about the UL 2809 Recycled Content Validation, visit UL.com.