ABB Robotics Partners with Molg to Create Robotic Microfactories for Tackling E-Waste!

ABB Robotics has announced a collaboration with U.S. start-up Molg to develop robotic microfactories aimed at recycling and recovering electronic waste from data centers. With global e-waste expected to rise to 75 million tons by 2030, these microfactories will provide a sustainable solution to reduce electronic waste by automating the disassembly and recycling of outdated equipment, helping the data center sector operate more efficiently and responsibly.

Craig McDonnell, managing director of ABB Robotics’ business line industries, highlighted that this partnership is part of ABB’s mission to drive sustainability and efficiency across industries. “Our solution enables the automated disassembly of data center equipment, promoting circularity through the responsible disposal, recycling, and reuse of components,” McDonnell said.

As data centers face increasing demand due to advancements in AI, machine learning, and cloud computing, they are major contributors to the 2.6 million tons of e-waste produced annually. ABB’s partnership with Molg addresses the growing need for sustainable solutions by automating the recovery of valuable components, such as rare earth elements (REEs), which can be reused in the production of new electronics.

Molg’s robotic microfactory autonomously disassembles complex electronics, offering a safer alternative to manual labor and mitigating environmental and health risks associated with toxic materials. The solution, aimed at hyperscalers and IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) companies, was developed with support from ABB Robotics & Automation Ventures, which invested in Molg’s seed round alongside other venture capital leaders, including Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund.

Molg CEO and co-founder Rob Lawson-Shanks expressed excitement over the partnership, emphasizing that the collaboration will accelerate the development of circular manufacturing processes and help keep valuable materials in circulation.

Molg’s broader portfolio also includes design-for-circularity and component traceability software tools, helping manufacturers create products that can be easily recycled at the end of their life, enhancing supply chain resilience and sustainability.