This is the client’s presentation covering April to mid-May 2026. It is designed to address general trends observed by Compliance Standards and look at what April and early May 2026 headlines collectively meant for the ITAD and electronics recycling sectors.
Mature Markets
Quantum expands plastics recovery as North American growth strategy takes shape
Canada-based Quantum Lifecycle Partners has launched an advanced plastics separation system designed to recover higher-quality polymers from end-of-life electronics, a move that reflects downstream processing investment alongside a wider shift in the company’s operating model.
Secondary Market: Intel boosts margins by selling what it used to scrap
Intel’s Q1 non-GAAP gross margin came in at 41%, roughly 650 basis points above the company’s own guidance. Management attributed the beat to a combination of higher volumes, favorable mix, pricing, and better 18A yields. According to industry analyst Ben Bajarin, who posted on X following the earnings call, part of the lift came from yield salvage: selling marginal silicon, much of it edge-die that would normally be binned out or scrapped rather than shipped into a usable SKU. Intel is now capturing revenue from silicon that would previously have been written down or held in reserve.
ERI enters Japan through joint venture with Itochu
US-based electronics recycler and IT asset disposition (ITAD) provider ERI has formed a 50-50 joint venture with...
Auditors warn EU may fall short on critical metals
EU auditors are warning that Europe is unlikely to secure enough critical raw materials by 2030, because import...
Europe pulls ahead on ITAD now while US growth remains slower
Early 2026 shows evidence of a widening gap between Europe and the United States in the pace and structure of IT asset...
Advisory Note: Tariffs, Supply Security, and Enterprise Caution Set the Operating Context for ITAD and Secondary Materials Recovery in 2026
Recent policy signals from the U.S. administration indicate a period of heightened tension, driven by trade...
Takeways: Mitsubishi Materials investment in Elemental’s US e-scrap platform
Mitsubishi Materials has agreed to acquire a minority stake in Elemental Group’s US e-waste platform, which operates...
Part 1: 2025 in Retrospect: Redefined ‘Serious’ ITAD
Analysis of Structural Change in IT Asset Disposition and Electronics Recycling 2025 marked a transition point for IT...