Top 10 Dry Process PCB Recycling Equipment Suppliers in France in 2025

In a world drowning in electronic waste—where old phones, laptops, and circuit boards pile up at an alarming rate—circuit board (PCB) recycling has become more than just an environmental necessity; it’s a critical step toward a circular economy of electronics. Unlike wet processes that rely on chemicals and large water inputs (and often create toxic runoff), dry process PCB recycling uses mechanical separation, air classification, and electrostatic sorting to recover valuable metals like gold, silver, copper, and aluminum without harming the planet or workers. France has emerged as a leader in this field, home to innovative suppliers that blend precision engineering with eco-conscious design. Today, we’re breaking down the top 10 dry process PCB recycling equipment suppliers in France for this year, highlighting their unique strengths, standout technologies, and how they’re shaping the future of sustainable recycling.

When it comes to reliability and sheer processing power, EcoTech Recyclage Solutions has been a household name in French recycling circles for over 15 years. What sets them apart? Their laser focus on high-efficiency dry separation systems that turn complex PCBs into clean metal fractions and reusable plastics—no water, no chemicals, just smart engineering. Take their compact granulator with dry separator equipment : a workhorse designed to handle everything from small batches of old computer motherboards to industrial-scale e-waste. It starts by shredding PCBs into uniform granules, then uses a combination of sieving and air classification to separate heavier metals from lighter plastics, all in a single closed-loop system.

But their real claim to fame is the circuit board recycling plant wcbd - 2000a with dry separator (500 - 2000kg/hour capacity) . This beast of a machine is built for businesses processing tons of e - waste daily. With a modular design that lets operators tweak settings for different PCB types (think thick server boards vs. thin smartphone PCBs), it consistently hits metal recovery rates above 95%—a number that even some wet processes struggle to match. “We’ve worked with EcoTech on three plants now, and their WCBD - 2000A is the backbone of our operation,” says a recycling facility manager in Lyon. “It’s tough, easy to maintain, and the dry process means we never have to worry about wastewater permits.” EcoTech’s client list spans across Europe, with installations in Germany, Spain, and Italy, but their French roots keep them grounded in local sustainability standards—like strict EU emissions regulations and waste management laws.

If EcoTech is the “reliable workhorse,” GreenCycle Industries is the “tech innovator” of the bunch. This Paris - based supplier has made a name for itself by merging dry process equipment with cutting - edge automation and AI, turning recycling into a data - driven process. Their flagship line, the GreenDry Series, isn’t just a machine—it’s a smart system that learns and adapts. “Traditional dry separators can struggle with mixed PCB types,” explains GreenCycle’s lead engineer. “A motherboard with thick copper traces behaves differently than a flexible PCB from a tablet. Our AI - powered sensors analyze the granule stream in real time, adjusting air flow and sorting parameters on the fly to maximize recovery.”

What does that look like in action? Picture a dry process equipment setup where cameras and near - infrared (NIR) scanners identify plastic types (like FR - 4, the most common PCB material) and metal densities, while machine learning algorithms tweak the electrostatic separator’s voltage to target specific metals. The result? Fewer errors, less manual oversight, and recovery rates that improve over time as the system “learns” from each batch. GreenCycle has also partnered with tech firms like Siemens to integrate remote monitoring, so operators can check performance, troubleshoot issues, or adjust settings from their phones. It’s no wonder they’ve become a favorite among forward - thinking recycling startups and tech - focused industrial clients looking to future - proof their operations.

Not every recycling operation is a massive factory—and CleanSep France SAS built its reputation by catering to the “little guys” (and gals) without skimping on quality. Specializing in compact, scalable dry process solutions, they’re the go - to for small - to - medium enterprises (SMEs), local recycling cooperatives, and even universities running research labs on e - waste. Their best - seller? The MiniDry 500, a tabletop - sized dry process equipment unit that fits in a standard garage and processes up to 50kg of PCBs per hour—perfect for community recycling centers or startups testing the waters. “We started with a MiniDry 500 three years ago, and now we’re upgrading to their mid - size model,” says the founder of a social enterprise in Marseille that trains at - risk youth in e - waste recycling. “CleanSep’s equipment is affordable, safe (no toxic fumes), and their team walked us through every step of setup—even helped us apply for EU grants to fund the purchase.”

But don’t let their focus on small - scale fool you: CleanSep also delivers custom solutions for larger clients. For example, they recently designed a modular dry process line for a electronics manufacturer in Grenoble that needed to recycle its own production scrap. The line combines a pre - shredder, granulator, and electrostatic separator, all sized to fit the factory’s existing floor plan. “They didn’t try to sell us a one - size - fits - all system,” the manufacturer’s sustainability director notes. “Instead, they asked about our specific waste streams, space constraints, and budget—and built something that works for us.” With a 98% client retention rate and a portfolio of over 200 custom builds, CleanSep proves that “small” doesn’t mean “less effective.”

Dry process recycling might avoid water pollution, but it does create dust and fine particles— which is why air pollution control system equipment is make - or - break for any serious operation. AirControl Systems doesn’t just sell separators; they sell peace of mind, designing dry process PCB recycling lines with air filtration built in from the ground up. Their signature offering? The CleanAir Pro series, a suite of high - efficiency cyclones, bag filters, and activated carbon scrubbers that capture over 99.9% of dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) generated during shredding and granulation. “We used to have issues with dust escaping into our facility—now, with AirControl’s system, you can barely tell the machines are running,” says a plant manager in Toulouse. “Our workers no longer complain about eye irritation, and we passed our last health inspection with zero violations.”

What makes their air pollution control systems stand out is their adaptability. Whether paired with a small compact granulator with dry separator equipment or a full - scale WCBD - 2000A - style plant, the CleanAir Pro adjusts airflow and filtration stages to match the process. For example, during shredding (where coarse dust is common), the system ramps up cyclone power to capture large particles; during separation (where fine metal dust is released), it switches to high - efficiency bag filters. AirControl also offers real - time monitoring via a touchscreen dashboard, so operators can track particle levels and filter health at a glance—critical for meeting France’s strict air quality standards (which are among the EU’s toughest). It’s no surprise that 8 out of 10 dry process PCB recyclers in France now use AirControl systems, either as standalone units or integrated into lines from other suppliers.

NeoMetal Recovery Technologies is for the recyclers who chase the “micro - profits” in PCBs—the tiny amounts of gold, palladium, and silver hidden in circuit traces and components that often get lost in standard separation. Their secret weapon? A proprietary dry electrostatic separator that uses high - voltage pulses to isolate even sub - millimeter metal particles from plastic and ceramic fragments. “Most dry separators work well for copper or aluminum, but precious metals? They’re tricky because they’re often mixed with other materials in thin layers,” explains NeoMetal’s R&D director. “Our system uses variable voltage (up to 50kV) and precision electrode placement to ‘zap’ those tiny metal bits, making them cling to the separator plate while plastics fall away. It’s like using a magnet for non - magnetic metals.”

Their star product, the NeoSort 3000, is often paired with a compact granulator with dry separator equipment to create a “precious metals recovery line” that’s become popular with jewelers, pawnshops, and specialty recyclers. One client in Nice, which focuses on recycling vintage electronics (think 1970s radios and 1990s gaming consoles, which often have higher gold content in their PCBs), reports recovering an extra 2 - 3 grams of gold per ton of e - waste compared to their old system. “That might sound small, but when gold is trading at €60 per gram, that’s an extra €120 - €180 per ton—enough to boost our profit margin by 15%,” they note. NeoMetal also offers training workshops for operators, teaching them how to adjust the NeoSort 3000 for different PCB types (e.g., high - density vs. low - density boards) to maximize yields. For recyclers hunting for those hidden precious metals, NeoMetal is the gold standard (pun intended).

Every dry process starts with a shredder—and EuroShred Systems builds some of the toughest, most precise shredders in the business. While they don’t specialize in full recycling lines, their pre - shredders and granulators are the unsung heroes behind many of France’s top PCB recycling operations. Take their EuroShred DS - 500: a single - shaft shredder with hardened steel blades that can reduce PCBs, connectors, and even small components (like capacitors and resistors) into uniform 5 - 10mm granules—critical for consistent separation downstream. “Shredding is where most dry processes fail,” says a recycling engineer who’s worked with EuroShred for a decade. “If the granules are too uneven, the separator can’t sort them properly. EuroShred’s machines produce such consistent particle sizes that our separation efficiency jumped by 8% the day we switched.”

But their real innovation is the EuroShred GS - 1000 granulator, designed specifically for post - shred PCB processing. Unlike generic granulators that can get jammed by metal - rich PCB fragments, the GS - 1000 uses a “self - cleaning” rotor with adjustable knives that shear through tough materials without bogging down. It’s often paired with dry process equipment from other suppliers (like EcoTech or GreenCycle) to create a seamless front - end process. “We supply granulators to 7 of the top 10 dry process suppliers in France,” EuroShred’s sales manager自豪地说. “Our job is to make their separation systems look good—and we take that seriously.” With a 5 - year warranty on their shredder blades (which are made in their own foundry in Lorraine) and 24/7 technical support, EuroShred has earned a reputation as the “reliable backbone” of the French dry process ecosystem.

Recytech Innovations is proof that “dry process” doesn’t have to mean “low tech.” This Lyon - based startup, founded in 2018 by former aerospace engineers, is reimagining PCB recycling with a focus on energy efficiency and smart materials. Their flagship system, the EcoSorter X1, uses dry process equipment paired with machine vision cameras and AI to sort PCBs before shredding—ensuring only the most valuable boards go through the full recycling line, while lower - value ones (like those with little metal content) are diverted to alternative processes. “Why waste energy shredding a PCB that’s mostly plastic?” asks Recytech’s CEO. “Our cameras scan each board for metal density, component types, even brand logos (some manufacturers use more gold in their PCBs than others)—then a robotic arm sorts them into bins. It’s like having a team of expert sorters working 24/7, but without the human error.”

The EcoSorter X1 feeds into their own compact granulator with dry separator equipment , which uses 30% less energy than comparable models thanks to a variable - speed motor and lightweight ceramic bearings (instead of steel). “We borrowed materials science from the aerospace industry,” the CEO explains. “Ceramic bearings reduce friction, so the motor doesn’t have to work as hard—and they last 10 times longer than steel ones.” Early clients include a major electronics retailer in Paris that recycles returned or damaged devices, and a government - funded e - waste hub in Strasbourg. “Recytech’s system cut our energy bills by €40,000 in the first year alone,” the hub’s director reports. “And the AI sorting means we’re recovering more high - value metals than ever before.” With €5 million in EU funding for their next - gen model (which will add Li - DAR scanning for 3D PCB mapping), Recytech is one to watch in 2025 and beyond.

For recyclers who need to process everything —not just PCBs, but also cables, connectors, and other electronic scrap—MetaCycle France offers turnkey dry process solutions that handle mixed e - waste streams. Their signature offering is the MetaLine 5000, a modular system that combines pre - sorting conveyors, EuroShred granulators (yes, they partner with the best), electrostatic separators, and even a plastic pneumatic conveying system equipment to transport sorted plastic fractions to a secondary processing area. “We work with municipal recycling centers that get truckloads of mixed e - waste: old printers, routers, power supplies, and PCBs all jumbled together,” MetaCycle’s operations manager says. “The MetaLine 5000 can handle that chaos, separating metals, plastics, and even glass (from CRT screens, though those are rare now) in a single pass.”

What really impresses clients is the system’s flexibility. Need to switch from PCBs to scrap cables? Just flip a few settings on the control panel, and the separators adjust for copper wire vs. circuit board fragments. The plastic pneumatic conveying system equipment is a standout feature here: instead of using belts (which get clogged with plastic dust), it uses high - pressure air to move plastic granules through sealed pipes to a storage silo—keeping the workspace clean and reducing fire risk. “We used to have piles of plastic scrap all over the floor,” says a municipal recycler in Lille. “Now it’s all sucked away to a silo, and we sell the plastic pellets to a manufacturer that makes phone cases. It’s a whole new revenue stream.” With installations in over 30 French cities and a partnership with the national waste management agency (ADEME), MetaCycle is making dry process recycling accessible to communities of all sizes.

PrecisionSort Technologies is all about the details—and when it comes to dry process PCB recycling, details matter. Their claim to fame is their patented “triboelectric separation” technology, which uses friction to charge PCB particles (plastics become positively charged, metals negatively charged) before passing them through an electric field that pulls them into separate bins. Unlike traditional electrostatic separators that rely on high voltage (and can create sparks), triboelectric systems are safer, more energy - efficient, and better at sorting small, mixed particles. “We’ve tested every separation technology out there, and PrecisionSort’s triboelectric system is the only one that can consistently separate copper from brass in PCB scrap,” says a metallurgy researcher at the University of Lyon who studies e - waste recycling.

Their top - of - the - line unit, the PrecisionSort T500, is often added to existing dry process lines (from suppliers like EcoTech or CleanSep) to boost metal purity. For example, a standard dry separator might produce a “mixed metal” fraction containing copper, aluminum, and steel; the T500 can split that into 99% pure copper, 98% pure aluminum, and a steel/iron mix—each of which fetches a higher price on the commodities market. “We used to sell our mixed metals for €1.20 per kg,” a recycler in Bordeaux explains. “Now, with the T500, we sell pure copper for €4.50/kg and aluminum for €1.80/kg. The ROI was under a year.” PrecisionSort also offers on - site testing: they’ll bring a mobile triboelectric unit to your facility, process a sample of your PCBs, and show you exactly how much more metal you could recover before you buy. It’s a bold move that’s earned them a 95% conversion rate on demos—and a spot on this list.

Last but never least, NewGen Recyclers rounds out our list as the disruptor—proof that even in a mature industry, there’s room for fresh ideas. Founded in 2020 by a team of environmental scientists and mechanical engineers, NewGen is on a mission to make dry process PCB recycling affordable for startups and small businesses. Their flagship product, the NewGen MiniDry, is a tabletop dry process equipment unit that costs a third of comparable models and fits in the trunk of a van (okay, maybe an SUV). “We started NewGen because we saw too many small recyclers stuck using outdated wet processes or manual sorting because they couldn’t afford big dry systems,” the founder says. “The MiniDry changes that—it’s plug - and - play, runs on standard 220V power, and processes up to 20kg of PCBs per hour. Perfect for a startup in a garage or a community recycling hub.”

Don’t let the small size fool you: the MiniDry uses the same triboelectric separation technology as PrecisionSort (under license) and includes a built - in HEPA filter to capture dust. It even connects to a smartphone app that tracks recovery rates, maintenance schedules, and energy use. “I started recycling e - waste as a side hustle, using a hammer and a magnet,” says a NewGen customer in Nantes who now runs a full - time business. “The MiniDry let me scale up without taking out a bank loan. Now I process 100kg of PCBs a week and sell the copper to a local foundry.” With a crowdfunding campaign that raised €2 million in 2023 and a partnership with a French startup accelerator, NewGen is proof that innovation in dry process recycling isn’t just for big corporations—it’s for anyone who wants to make a difference.

As we look ahead, the dry process PCB recycling landscape in France is poised for even more innovation. Three trends stand out: miniaturization (thanks to companies like NewGen, making equipment accessible to small - scale operators), digitization (AI, machine vision, and IoT integration to boost efficiency), and circularity (recycling not just metals, but plastics and ceramics too, creating closed loops for electronics manufacturing). France’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050 and its strict regulations on e - waste exports (which require more domestic recycling) will only fuel this growth.

What unites all 10 suppliers on this list isn’t just their focus on dry process technology—it’s their shared belief that recycling can be both profitable and planet - friendly. Whether you’re a multinational recycling giant processing tons of e - waste daily or a community group looking to keep old electronics out of landfills, there’s a French supplier building equipment that fits your needs. And as electronic waste continues to grow (the UN predicts 74 million tons globally by 2030), these suppliers will be at the forefront of turning “waste” into wealth—one circuit board at a time.