Pyrolysis is a thermochemical process in which organic compounds are converted into their core components, which are then used as starting materials, for example for the chemical industry. Since the reaction takes place at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen, no classic combustion reaction takes place and pyrolysis oils are produced, which can be used to produce new polymers, for example. The pyrolysis oils can also be burned to supply the process with energy; this is therefore a material and energetic recycling of the materials to be recycled. Metals contained in the components can also be separated in this way. The pyrolysis variant presented here, in which the process heat is provided by a microwave oven, is particularly energy efficient and offers the possibility of heating more homogeneously and thus controlling the composition of the pyrolysis gases more precisely. Complex components that can be recycled using this process include PCBs from control units or damaged silicon solar cells.

The technology is being researched at the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films and was presented by Dr. Thomas Neubert as part of the theme day "Sustainability in the wiring harness" on March 6, 2024 at the OHLF in Wolfsburg.