Apple Suppliers Face Hurdles Cutting Circuit Board Emissions

Apple's efforts to cut supply chain emissions face persistent challenges among printed circuit board manufacturers, where demand for more advanced components is increasing energy consumption, according to DigiTimes.

The report says requirements from Apple and Google are prompting suppliers to publish sustainability reports, buy more renewable electricity, and work with their own suppliers to cut emissions. Simultaneously, growing demand for more complex boards used in AI and high-performance computing is increasing the electricity and water needed for production.

The matter presents a challenge for Apple's requirement that its direct manufacturing suppliers use 100% renewable electricity for Apple production before 2030. Purchased electricity accounts for nearly 60% of the PCB industry's emissions, according to an analysis cited by DigiTimes.

Suppliers also face difficulties changing the materials they use. Lower-carbon alternatives do not yet meet all the performance requirements of advanced boards and require extensive testing before they can be widely adopted.