Remanufacturing – traditional knowledge with new relevance

When does a product really reach the end of its life?
A factory pump, for example, consists of hundreds of components with different lifetimes and tolerances. When the pump is considered worn out, it is often discarded entirely – even though many of the parts are still functional and could have been reused.

Remanufacturing makes it possible to reuse working components instead of throwing them away.

What does remanufacturing mean – and why now?

Remanufacturing means using existing products or components to create something that matches – or sometimes even exceeds – the performance and quality of the original. It differs from repair or reuse in that it is based on an industrial process that can be scaled up to handle larger volumes.

In practice, this means rethinking how we design both products and value chains.

A remanufactured component should not only function as new – it should also be part of a system where materials and knowledge circulate. An example presented at this year’s Rematec trade fair in Amsterdam was how Stellantis and Valeo have developed the first remanufactured LED headlight, integrated into their regular production process.

The EU is driving change

European legislation is accelerating this development.
The Ecodesign Regulation (ESPR) and the Right to Repair Directive aim to make it easier to extend product lifetimes and to increase reuse and remanufacturing. For companies, this means both new opportunities and new requirements. Those who start building capacity for remanufacturing early will be better prepared when regulations and customer expectations evolve.

Industry is already acting

The Volvo Group has been working with remanufacturing for a long time and has set clear goals to expand its scope. Even outside the automotive sector, we are seeing movement: IKEA is exploring how remanufacturing can become part of its circular business models, while Swedish industrial companies such as SKF and Scania have extensive experience in remanufacturing critical components.

The potential is significant – according to the European Remanufacturing Network, the EU’s remanufacturing market could be worth €90 billion by 2030 (www.remanufacturing.eu).

Collaboration is the key to progress

To succeed on a large scale, collaboration is needed between actors across the entire value chain – from manufacturers and suppliers to research institutes and insurance companies. Our projects at RISE show that technical innovation must go hand in hand with an understanding of markets, regulation and customer needs.

At RISE, we work with industry to develop remanufacturing in practice – from small pilot studies to major European collaborations. We combine technical expertise, business development and testbeds to create sustainable and scalable solutions.

If your company wants to take the next step towards circular production, start by asking:

Which of our products could have a second life?

The answer could strengthen your competitiveness – and contribute to a more sustainable industry.