Industry News

As the global adoption of photovoltaic technology accelerates, the recycling of end-of-life solar panels is becoming a critical challenge for the energy and waste management sectors. With millions of panels expected to reach decommissioning stage in the coming years, efficient and scalable recycling solutions are essential to support the circular economy and reduce landfill dependency. StokkermillSolar, the division of Stokkermill dedicated to photovoltaic recycling, responds to this need with innovative industrial plants engineered to ensure high recovery rates, operational reliability, and low environmental impact.

Designed and manufactured in Italy, Stokkermill systems integrate advanced technologies for shredding, size reduction, delamination, and mechanical separation—delivering consistent, high-purity output materials. The process begins with automated feeding of PV panels, with or without aluminum frames, followed by primary shredding and controlled size reduction.

Through a mechanical delamination phase, the system separates the composite structure of the panel, enabling the efficient liberation of valuable fractions. Subsequent separation stages—based on densimetric and mechanical technologies—allow the recovery of distinct material streams including glass, aluminum, silicon-rich powder, copper, and EVA. A key advantage of StokkermillSolar plants is the elimination of complex manual dismantling processes, significantly reducing labor requirements, processing time, and operational costs. The modular design allows flexibility in plant configuration, from semi-automatic solutions to fully automated, high-capacity installations, ensuring scalability according to customer needs.

Recovered materials are suitable for direct reuse or further refining: aluminum fractions can be sent to furnaces, glass is recovered in high purity, and silicon-containing powders can be processed by specialized downstream partners. This approach maximizes resource valorization while supporting sustainable industrial practices. With installations worldwide and a strong focus on innovation, Stokkermill continues to position itself as a key technology partner in the transition toward a circular and low-carbon energy ecosystem—turning photovoltaic waste into valuable resources.

Meet Stokkermill team at Stand J30 or visit their website for more information.

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Join us on 17–18 June 2026 at Messe Frankfurt, Germany, for the industry’s most influential gathering of recycling companies, critical raw material suppliers, electronics and battery manufacturers, and ITAD specialists. This free-to-attend exhibition and conference grants you the unique opportunity to gain access to 4 co-located shows: E-Waste World Expo, Battery Recycling Expo, Metal Recycling Expo, and ITAD & Circular Electronics Expo. 

The information within the copy was supplied by Stokkermill.