Process for Recycling PV Modules in the National Catalogue of Advanced and Applicable Process Technologies and Equipment for Comprehensive Utilization of Industrial Resources (2025 Edition)

On September 11, to accelerate the reduction of industrial solid waste at source and promote its large-scale utilization, enhance the comprehensive utilization level of renewable resources, and develop high-end intelligent remanufacturing, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment issued the "National Catalogue of Advanced Applicable Process Technologies and Equipment for Comprehensive Utilization of Industrial Resources (2025 Edition)" (hereinafter referred to as the "Catalogue").
According to the Catalogue, the process technologies and equipment selected for 2025 primarily target four areas: source reduction of industrial solid waste, comprehensive utilization of industrial solid waste, comprehensive utilization of renewable resources, and remanufacturing of mechanical and electrical products.
Among them, those involving PV module recycling processes mainly include the following two items: High-Efficiency Dismantling and Clean Recycling Technology and Complete Equipment for Retired Crystalline Silicon PV Modules; and Intelligent Fine Dismantling Technology for Retired PV Modules.

High-Efficiency Dismantling and Clean Recycling Technology and Complete Equipment for Retired Crystalline Silicon PV Modules:

Scope of Application

Dismantling and recycling of retired crystalline silicon PV modules

Technology and Equipment Overview

Complete or incomplete retired crystalline silicon PV modules undergo processes including PV module pretreatment, near-zero-loss dismantling of the aluminum frame and junction box, efficient separation of PV laminate via thermal treatment, and efficient separation of mixed materials, sequentially yielding recycled products such as aluminum frames, junction boxes, glass, welding strips, and polysilicon; the secondary silicon then undergoes processes including targeted green leaching of valuable metals, melting, casting ingots, and slicing, sequentially producing products such as alumina, elemental silver, and 6N-grade high-purity wafers. The performance of all recycled products meets the needs of various industrial production fields, with quality far exceeding relevant national or industry standards. Furthermore, the entire process from dismantling to separation to recycling has low energy consumption, minimal pollution, and is replicable and suitable for widespread application.

Key Technologies and Main Technical Indicators

Key Technologies:
Pyrolysis and resource recovery technology for retired PV modules; material sorting and refined purification technology; precious metal recovery and high-purity silver extraction technology; high-purity silicon purification and material regeneration technology.
Main Technical Indicators:
Recovery rate of silver and copper from solar cells and welding strips ≥95%, silicon recycling utilization rate ≥90%; achieving an annual processing capacity of retired PV laminates via pyrolysis of ≥20,000 mt/year, recovery volume of valuable metals and silicon of ≥750 mt/year, and safe disposal of accompanying waste liquids and residues.

Intelligent Fine Dismantling Technology for Retired PV Modules:

Scope of Application

Dismantling and recycling of retired PV modules

Technology and Equipment Overview

Based on the reverse deconstruction logic of the PV module manufacturing process, R&D designed integrated equipment such as a shear-free online feeding and junction box removal machine, an intelligent frame removal device, and a glass separation device compatible with both single and double glass, along with a backsheet removal device. These core devices are modularly integrated into customized containers, creating a mobile retired PV module recycling and dismantling system that breakthrough achieves flexible deployment and multi-scenario adaptability. This enables efficient on-site separation of materials with high weight ratios, such as junction boxes, aluminum frames, and glass.

Key Technologies and Main Technical Indicators

Key Technologies:
Global first-of-its-kind technology for efficient glass peeling compatible with both single-glass and double-glass modules; global first-of-its-kind backsheet peeling technology for single-glass modules; globally pioneering mobile set of equipment for recycling and dismantling retired PV modules.
Key technical indicators:
The overall processing efficiency is ≥40 units/h; this technology uses a physical method for dismantling, producing no waste, making it a zero-emission project, and saves 44.81% on energy consumption compared to pyrolysis; the mobile design reduces transportation and transfer costs by approximately 30% compared to the traditional model of transporting modules to a fixed factory for processing.