Manufacturing industry to benefit from the circular economy - DaRe-X project seeks to develop research methods on Re-X selection
Implementing the circular economy in many industrial products is challenging due to lack of know-how, lack of suitable data and business models.
DaRe-X project will focus on this issue in the context of heavy machinery industries. “In the recently launched project, we will experiment with two proof of concept demonstrators: A retrofit case of log crane and a new install base Volvo EC25 excavator. Digital twins and models are used as foundations to develop methodologies to assess the suitability of different Re-X approaches and quantify their suitability for the selected case”, says Professor Emil Kurvinen, Principal Investigator in the University of Oulu research part.
“Circularity is still in practice mostly implemented with recycling of materials in the end-of-life of the product, and the higher-level Re-X processes, like refurbishing, remanufacturing and repurposing have not been developed systematically.”, says Professor Mika Horttanainen from LUT University. For business renewal, the project will create new data sources, such as Re-X processes and technologies based on the life cycle data of digital twins.
“The Finnish manufacturing companies’ products are operating around the globe and having the connectivity and data capability becomes more important when assessing the asset status and possible approaches to implement Re-X processes.” says Associate Professor Mehdi Rasti from University of Oulu.
The large interdisciplinary research project involves six LUT research groups from the fields of sustainability science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and industrial engineering and management, as well as the machine and vehicle engineering (MVD) research group and Centre for Wireless Communications research group in the University of Oulu.
The new Re-X processes will be implemented in the participating OEM companies, which are Glaston, Konecranes and Mitsubishi Logisnext Europe. Supporting the transition is done with the solution providers Atostek and Kaltiot Technologies.
Other business partners involved in the project are solution providers Sofidium, following members Danfoss Editron and Mirka, and their leading company ecosystems.
The results of the project are expected to have a broad impact on the creation of new partnerships, the creation of unique solutions, and the development of companies' competitiveness and business growth in global markets.
The total public research budget of the project, funded by Business Finland, is approximately 1.9 million euros, of which LUT's share is 1.6 million euros and University of Oulu 0.3 million euros. The project duration is three years and started on Q4/2024.