# Electronica 24: Jack Herring, Jiva Materials Founder on Pioneering Biodegradable Solutions in PCB Manufacturing

- Show: [EMS@C-LEVEL](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level)
- Published: 2024-12-18
- Length: 8m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-12-18-electronica-24-jack-herring-jiva-materials-founder-on-pioneering-biodegradable-s

## Summary

Jack Herring, Founder and Chief Product Officer of Jiva Materials, explains how his university project evolved into Soliboard, a biodegradable PCB substrate that replaces glass fiber and epoxy with natural fibers and a water-soluble polymer. He details the recycling process where hot water delaminates the board, allowing component recovery, and notes current production of single and double-layer boards with a roadmap to four-layer prototypes by mid-next year. Herring discusses the commercial strategy involving direct OEM partnerships, such as Bosch, and the 10-15% material premium over FR4, which is offset by energy savings during assembly. The company maintains supply chain control through partners in Hungary and Slovakia for pre-preg production and UK-based PCB fabrication.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-12-18-electronica-24-jack-herring-jiva-materials-founder-on-pioneering-biodegradable-s#t=8) Introduction: Jack Herring and Jiva Materials
- [0:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-12-18-electronica-24-jack-herring-jiva-materials-founder-on-pioneering-biodegradable-s#t=26) Origin Story: University Project and Material Substitution
- [1:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-12-18-electronica-24-jack-herring-jiva-materials-founder-on-pioneering-biodegradable-s#t=100) Soliboard Recycling Process and Component Recovery
- [2:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-12-18-electronica-24-jack-herring-jiva-materials-founder-on-pioneering-biodegradable-s#t=160) Technical Roadmap: From Two-Layer to Four-Layer Boards
- [3:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-12-18-electronica-24-jack-herring-jiva-materials-founder-on-pioneering-biodegradable-s#t=216) Business Model: Direct OEM Partnerships like Bosch
- [4:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-12-18-electronica-24-jack-herring-jiva-materials-founder-on-pioneering-biodegradable-s#t=299) Pricing Strategy: 10-15% Premium vs. FR4 and Energy Savings
- [6:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-12-18-electronica-24-jack-herring-jiva-materials-founder-on-pioneering-biodegradable-s#t=372) Supply Chain Control: Hungary, Slovakia, and UK Fabrication
- [7:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-12-18-electronica-24-jack-herring-jiva-materials-founder-on-pioneering-biodegradable-s#t=449) Design Guidelines and Integration with Standard PCB Processes

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Jiva Materials (company)
- Soliboard (product)
- Bosch (company)
- FR4 (material)

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## Citing this page

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