Technology

Soluboard® is Jiva’s patented copper-clad laminate (CCL), developed as a practical alternative to conventional FR-4. It combines natural cellulosic fibre reinforcement with Solvanta™, Jiva’s proprietary thermoplastic polymer, and non-brominated, halogen-free flame-retardant technology.

Unlike glass-fibre and thermoset epoxy laminates, Soluboard® does not rely on the glass-fibre raw-material supply chain. Its sheet-based continuous lamination process has been developed for larger-scale, energy-efficient production.

Made for the lines fabricators already run

Soluboard® works with established PCB fabrication equipment for etching, drilling, profiling, electroplating and related processes, with material-specific settings. Single-sided and two-layer plated-through-hole (PTH) boards have been manufactured successfully. Customers specify the laminate to approved PCB fabricators, who produce boards for assembly into finished products.

Assembly uses compatible low-temperature soldering, with a peak reflow temperature of 180 °C. Each application is reviewed against its technical requirements.

Lower carbon without a green premium

A comparative lifecycle assessment with the University of Portsmouth reported 13.18 kg CO₂e/m² for Soluboard® and about 41.69 kg CO₂e/m² for FR-4: a 68% reduction in the assessed cradle-to-gate laminate footprint, including 79% lower processing emissions for the modelled production stages.

Soluboard® is about 37% lighter than comparable FR-4, and its glass-fibre-free composition gives manufacturers an alternative to conventional laminate raw materials. With competitive material economics, that makes lower-carbon laminate a practical choice for high-volume electronics.

Recyclability is an additional benefit. Under controlled conditions, hot-water treatment separates the thermoplastic binder from the natural fibres, exposing copper and electronic components for recovery.

Tested and certified

Soluboard® has achieved UL 94 V-0 in testing (UL file E544632). The formulation is PFAS-free and designed to meet relevant RoHS and REACH requirements.

Jiva’s ISO 9001:2015 quality management system supports controlled processes, traceability, continual improvement and product qualification with customers and manufacturing partners.

Protected technology

Soluboard® is protected by an international patent family originating from WO2018/234801, granted in the UK, US, India, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan. It covers the composite material, its manufacturing method and its use as a PCB laminate.

Jiva’s wider platform includes Solvanta™, a thermoplastic polymer that can be formulated for different applications, and RPCB®, the company’s approach to recyclable PCB technology.

Data on request

A Technical Data Sheet, Design Guidelines and Environmental Credentials are available on request. Tell us about your design, manufacturing requirements and operating conditions and we will review suitability and the route to fabrication.