How does SPR’s recycling process differ from other companies in the industry

SPR’s recycling process differs from other companies in the industry primarily through its advanced technology, full separation, and high recovery efficiency, as well as its integrated and eco-friendly approach.

Key Differences in SPR’s Solar Panel Recycling Process

Complete Separation of Components: Unlike many partial recyclers who shred whole solar panels and mix silicon, glass, metals, and plastics into unusable scrap, SPR ensures clean separation of all components before returning them to the manufacturing supply chain. This avoids contamination and allows for the recovery of pure commodities for reuse.
Advanced Proprietary Technology and Research-Driven: SPR invests heavily in research and development, employing proprietary solar separation systems and eco-friendly recycling technologies strategically located in multiple US facilities. This enables a significantly higher percentage of panel material recovery than typical industry rates.
Nationwide, Facility-Owned Operations: SPR owns and operates its recycling campuses across the US without outsourcing to scrap yards or trash haulers, which is common in the solar recycling industry. This ensures consistent quality, compliance, and technology standards at every stage.
Dedicated Lines for Specialized Panels: SPR has developed dedicated recycling lines specifically for bifacial solar panels, improving recovery efficiency tailored to newer solar technologies, a capability that many recyclers lack.

Contrast with Other Industry Practices

Many other companies perform partial recycling, often shredding whole panels, which leads to commingling materials and producing low-value scrap rather than reusable raw materials.
Outsourcing of recycling services to incomplete recyclers or scrap metal yards is common elsewhere, whereas SPR maintains direct control over its processes.

Additional Note on SPR Japan (Plastic Recycling)

While related to a different industry segment, SPR Japan uses an innovative plastic liquefaction process with patented dechlorination technology to recycle mixed plastics containing PET and PVC—contaminants challenging for many recyclers. This cascade recycling system allows SPR to handle high volumes of mixed and contaminated plastic waste, producing high-grade oil feedstocks and fuels.

In summary, SPR distinguishes itself by maximizing recovery through clean separation, proprietary technology, direct facility control, and specialized processing lines. This contrasts with other recyclers who often rely on partial shredding and outsourcing, resulting in lower material recovery quality and efficiency.

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