Since 1970, UBD Cleantech has developed specialist expertise in remanufacturing automotive components. With proprietary technology for diesel particulate filters and long experience in electronics, they extend the lifespan of critical parts. By developing a strategic roadmap together with RISE and other partners, the company has gained new perspectives on how its remanufacturing can evolve going forward.
UBD Cleantech is one of Europe’s leading players in the field. As a partner to both vehicle manufacturers and the aftermarket, the company delivers products that meet strict requirements for performance, safety and reliability – while also reducing climate impact and improving resource efficiency.
Process and challenges
The remanufacturing process begins when components are sent in by customers, who retain ownership of the products. The process includes identification, marking, cleaning, replacement of parts where needed, testing and packing before the component is returned. A unit may pass through up to 20 different stations depending on its complexity.
For diesel particulate filters, the work is mainly mechanical, while electronics often require significantly more effort – not least due to software dependencies and the need for reverse engineering.
– Developing test methods and finding solutions when information isn’t available is the most challenging part. It can take hundreds of hours before the process is in place, says Jens Fischlein, Sales and Marketing Manager at UBD Cleantech.
It raised questions we would not have asked ourselves and helped us see new opportunities
Roadmap as strategic support
To address these challenges in the long term, UBD Cleantech took part in the research project REMARKABLE (Remanufacturing: Key enabler to future business). Together with RISE and other partners, they developed a strategic roadmap for remanufacturing. The roadmap provided a clearer overview of potential development paths and helped the company frame key questions about its future direction.
– It raised questions we would not have asked ourselves and helped us see new opportunities, says Jens Fischlein.
Lessons and results
The roadmap process has already led to initiatives such as a new website and production improvements. More importantly, it provided new perspectives. Through visualisations and a shared language, UBD was able to discuss its strategy in more concrete terms, creating a clearer direction forward and a plan the whole organisation could align around.
The future of remanufacturing
The market for remanufacturing is expanding, particularly in electronics where demand for spare parts is expected to grow as components become more advanced and new production phases out earlier. Diesel particulate filters will remain important, especially for heavy vehicles. The roadmap offers a framework for the journey ahead and helps UBD Cleantech prioritise its next steps.
– Awareness of circular solutions is increasing, and we see a clear shift in how both manufacturers and workshops are thinking. Our priority right now is to strengthen relationships with existing customers, while recognising that the expertise we are developing is also opening doors to new markets and customers, says Jens Fischlein.
What is a roadmap in remanufacturing?
A roadmap is a plan that outlines the journey from the current situation to a desired future state. In remanufacturing, it helps companies identify technology choices, logistics solutions and competence needs, and prioritise between different paths forward.
The process of developing a roadmap often takes place in workshops together with researchers and experts, where the current state, targets and steps in between are visualised. The outcome is a guiding document and a shared plan that supports decision-making, coordination and long-term follow-up.
Contact Hanna Lindén if you are interested to know more about remanufacturing roadmaps.
REMARKABLE has been coordinated by Linköping University in collaboration with RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Jönköping University (JTH), ElektroTermo AB, Etac Sweden, GRUNDFOS, Svero Lifting AB, Toyota Material Handling Sweden, and UBD Cleantech.
The project is funded by the Swedish Energy Agency, Vinnova and Formas – a research council for sustainable development – through the strategic innovation programme RE:Source-SIP.