Sustainable Revolution in EU Industry

The global climate change occurring in recent years has pushed societies and individuals to reconsider their lifestyles and attitudes toward the environment. This shift also affects the industrial sector, which faces an escalating environmental crisis, highlighting the urgent need to rethink traditional production models.

The continuous depletion of natural resources, the excessive use and inadequate management of plastics, as well as the increasing production of waste and refuse, make the transition to circular value chains necessary. Industry must adapt to a new, sustainable development model, where recycling, reuse, and resource optimization become key pillars for reducing environmental impact and ensuring long-term sustainability.

The European Green Deal is an ambitious strategy by the European Union to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Through various policies and legislative measures—such as the circular economy strategy, product eco-design, and the secondary materials market—it contributes to reducing environmental issues, promoting material reuse, and supporting remanufacturing.

Accordingly, the European project RENÉE (GA No. 101138415), funded by Horizon Europe, aims to tackle this challenge by transforming the production model with a focus on the remanufacturing of mass-produced products. By leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics technologies, the RENÉE consortium seeks to restore used products in key industrial sectors to fully functional condition, contributing to Europe’s green and digital transition. With the development of digital remanufacturing management tools and flexible robotic production, the project promotes a new, more sustainable industrial ecosystem.

Funding, Partners, and Project Objectives

The RENÉE project is implemented under the Horizon Europe program, with a total budget of €8,041,531.25, of which the EU contribution amounts to €6,999,863.75. The project is coordinated by the University of Patras (LMS – Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems & Automation), with a consortium of 15 partners from across Europe, including research institutes, industries, and technology companies. The project commenced in January 2024 and is expected to be completed by December 2027.

The project aims to develop tools for creating circular value chains, enabling:

• Product condition assessment and classification,
• Remanufacturing design,
• The creation of a Digital Product Passport.

Additionally, RENÉE focuses on digital remanufacturing infrastructure, including:

• Planning and organization tools for flexible remanufacturing systems,
• Customized Digital Twins for process optimization,
• Solutions for product traceability and efficient supply network management.

The project also emphasizes robotic skills and flexible production systems, using AI to optimize processes and develop specialized robotic solutions for hybrid remanufacturing environments.

Finally, workforce skill development is a key pillar, with the creation of an educational platform for remanufacturing and operator-supporting technologies, enhancing worker interaction with robotic systems and promoting professional training.

Pilot Applications of the Project

As with other co-funded Research-Innovation-Development programs, RENÉE’s technology must be tested and validated by end users. The project’s technology will be assessed through four pilot projects, covering the following sectors:

• Robotics (reuse of robotic components)
• Home Appliances (remanufacturing of refrigerators)
• Mobility (remanufacturing of electric motors and bicycles)

Conclusion

RENÉE is not just one of the first research projects in the remanufacturing sector. It represents an ambitious transformation of European industry towards a more sustainable, digital, and efficient production model. By leveraging AI, robotics, and circular economy principles, this project aims to make a significant contribution to the EU’s green transition.

For more information, please contact the communications manager for the project’s innovative results, EIT Manufacturing South East.