Journal of the Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers ISSN:2288-0291(Print) 2288-2790(Online) 한국자원공학회지

Nowadays, production and demand of high performance electronic display devices have increased quite rapidly owing to ever-increasing market size and consequent developments in the related technologies, which are typical of current era of advanced information technology. In view of relatively short life cycle of the display devices, quantity of their wastes is also expected to markedly increase. However, present domestic status of statistical data on waste display devices leaves much to be desired although nearly 2～3 million wastes are expected per annum after year of 2010, based on current domestic production level of the devices. Unless end-of-life display devices are disposed properly, they are quite hazardous and detrimental to human society and environment: More importantly, valuable rare metal and rare earth resources could be lost. Due to lack of domestic Korean infrastructure for efficient recycling: of waste display devices, most of the wastes are incinerated except d ramechanically detachable parts such as plastic case and metal frame, which is deplorable Korea as a renowned supplier possessing most advanced technologies related to display devices. Therefore, environment-friendly and efficient recycling technology for LCD panel and backlight unit is to be developed intensively, especially in the fields of physical separation of parts, selective segregation of desired rare metal and rare earth elements of value, and acid leaching to meet WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) directives imposed by EU since 2003, which is deemed most essential for Korean competitive potential and related national strategy.