Thermosets, once polymerized, cannot be melted for reuse and become scrap. Worse yet, EMC is generally classified as hazardous waste making disposal increasingly difficult. Many EMC’s contain bromine flame retardant compounds that are destined to be regulated into extinction just like lead solders. Some bromine compounds fall under pending RoHS rules and others will almost certainly be restricted in the future. Replacement of bromine with dubious choices like phosphorus as a flame retardant will only add more uncertainties. Reformulating will require retesting and a “reset” of the learning curve.
Epoxies are also relatively poor gas and moisture barrier materials although chip passivation has allowed most devices to work well enough to bring success to the plastic package. What are the plastic material alternatives?