Topics
Remanufacturing and circular business models
A remanufactured part saves much of the material and energy of a new one – and opens up new business.
Terms
The Re-X strategies
- ReuseA part is used again without reconditioning.
- RepairA defect is fixed; the part stays with the user.
- RefurbishA part is overhauled and brought back to good working condition.
- RemanufactureA used part is disassembled, inspected and rebuilt industrially to be equivalent to a new part – with warranty.
- RecycleOnly the material is recovered; the part itself is lost.
The higher a strategy in the list, the more value, material and energy is preserved.
Process
How remanufacturing works
- Take-backThe used part (“core”) comes back – often via a deposit or as an exchange unit.
- DisassemblyTaking it apart down to the components; this shows whether the product was designed for it.
- CleaningIndustrial cleaning, the prerequisite for any inspection.
- Inspection and sortingEach part is inspected: reusable, to be reconditioned or to be replaced.
- ReconditioningWear parts are replaced, surfaces and functions restored.
- ReassemblyRebuilt to series standard.
- Final testFunctional test as for a new part – then back on the market with warranty.
Quality assurance, inspection and cleaning decide whether remanufacturing is reliable and economical – they were the focus of our symposia on innovation and automation in remanufacturing.
Business models
How to create value
Exchange unit with deposit
Customers receive a remanufactured part and return the old one. The manufacturer secures the raw material for the next round.
Repair as a service
Electronic components are repaired rather than replaced – as at the Forvia Reparlab, which we visited.
A second life for machines
Production equipment is bought back at the end of its first life, overhauled and put back into service with new controls – example: Maneko.
Use instead of consumption
A consumable product becomes an offer in which the product lasts longer and comes back – as at Soudobeam, presented in our webinar in Liège.
Retrofit
Existing vehicles and equipment are converted instead of replaced, for example from combustion to electric drive.
For your company
What it means
- Costs: less material and energy than for a new part, often much lower manufacturing costs.
- CO₂: a remanufactured part causes only a fraction of the emissions of a new one – a lever for the product footprint customers increasingly demand.
- Security of supply: critical raw materials such as rare earths in magnets stay in the loop.
- New revenue and customer loyalty: spare parts, service and take-back business over the whole lifetime.
- What it takes: ecodesign for disassembly – screwed rather than press-fitted –, take-back logistics, access to product data and answers on cybersecurity for electronic components.
More in our events – tech site visits, symposia and webinars – and in the EcoDesign demonstrator.
Book an appointment
Are you an automotive company in the Greater Region?
Then talk to us about your topics. Book an appointment – on site at your company or by video conference.
- CO₂ measurement
- Life cycle assessment (LCA)
- Re-X strategies
- Re-X methods
- Digital product passport (DPP)
- Trucks and logistics
- Ecodesign
Re-X: reuse, repair, remanufacture, recycle. DPP: digital product passport, which brings together data on a product’s materials, origin and CO₂.
Your first consultation
- Free of charge for companies from the Greater Region
- Two hours on site at your company or online
- Or half a day at the university – with the demonstrators
Request an appointment or contact your local contact directly