An action plan for Europe
Unlike in the material recycling industry, cross-sectoral activities to facilitate knowledge transfer and promotion of the remanufacturing industry have not been a priority in Europe. This contrasts with China in particular and with the research and technical support provided in the USA. European remanufacturing could lose its competitiveness because pockets of industrial and academic expertise are not seen as important.
ERN, funded under the Horizon 2020 programme, surveyed the level of remanufacturing activity by sector across the EU. It generated a number of high impact actions designed to accelerate the uptake of remanufacturing, refurbishment and reconditioning of used products. These actions are targeted at economic operators, policy-makers and researchers. Follow-on actions to ERN should address the research pillar, support for the remanufacturing industry; and the policy and strategy needs of business through sector-focused representation.
Manufacturing industry
Manufacturing industry is the largest employment sector and the biggest contributor to the GDP of industrialized nations (34 million people contributing about 14.5% of GDP). It is also a major consumer of material and energy as well as a significant source of waste (about 14% of the total). This impact can be reduced and mitigated by employing Circular Economy principles, high amongst which is the practice of remanufacturing. Remanufacturing 'moves the dial' in terms of reducing climate changing emissions and greatly improving the efficiency of using CRMs (Critical Raw Materials). The greatest challenge is to transfer the expertise developed mostly in the B2B sector (Business to Business) into many categories of (B2C) consumer products.
European Remanufacturing Council
The council is the focal point for remanufacturing dialogue in Europe, representing the industry to policy makers at scale. The ERC provides opportunities to influence policy by communicating the cross-sector issues and challenges to be tackled and advocating for the support needed to promote the growth of remanufacturing.
The Commission has welcomed the work being done on a Remanufacturing Council. There is a clear need to reap the potential of remanufacturing in support of the circular economy.
The ERC has an ambition for a tripling of the value of Europe’s remanufacturing sector to €100 billion by 2030. Register your interest in joining in with the ERC's work using the following link:
European Remanufacturing CouncilHorizon 2020 Framework
ERN was established under the Horizon 2020 Framework by the European Commission with grant agreement number 645984. Horizon 2020 is the financial instrument implementing the Innovation Union, a Europe 2020 flagship initiative aimed at securing Europe’s global competitiveness.