rEUman presented at re.fact25: Shaping the future
of smart, human-centric remanufacturing
At the re.fact25 International Symposium on Innovation and Automation in Remanufacturing, rEUman was represented by Lorenzo Gaspari, Head of New Business Development of rEUman partner BORG Automotive. Hosted by Trier University of Applied Sciences, the symposium brought together leading experts from industry and research at Environmental Campus Birkenfeld to discuss the future of remanufacturing in the face of accelerating technological and societal changes.
Lorenzo Gaspari introduced the rEUman project both at the BORG Automotive stand and during his presentation on current research and emerging trends in remanufacturing. Speaking to a diverse audience of practitioners, researchers, and policymakers, he highlighted the need for forward-looking solutions in a sector under pressure from labour shortages, rising costs, powertrain becoming electrified and the digitalisation of components with embedded software.
From BORG’s perspective, automation is not merely a tool for increasing productivity—it is a strategic response to today’s labour market challenges. Automation, when integrated into a redesigned remanufacturing process that includes workers, can significantly enhance product quality, improve Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) conditions, and strengthen resilience.
Gaspari also pointed to the ongoing transition to electromobility in Europe. As internal combustion engine components are gradually replaced by electrified systems, automotive remanufacturing must evolve rapidly to stay relevant. One critical challenge lies in the growing diffusion of embedded software and electronics in vehicle components. These trends demand new tools, R&D activities, workforce capabilities, and a rethinking of conventional remanufacturing methods.
During his talk, Gaspari also presented the BORG pilot use case, one of the key industrial demonstrations within rEUman. The pilot focuses on showing how the deployment of value chain- and factory-level solutions can maintain high competitiveness in remanufacturing operations during the shift to electromobility, specifically applied to electric motors.
The re.fact25 symposium provided an ideal platform to share rEUman’s vision, connect with like-minded initiatives, and engage in valuable dialogue about the future of European remanufacturing. As the project progresses, rEUman will continue to collaborate with stakeholders across industry, academia, and policy to build a smarter, more sustainable, and inclusive remanufacturing ecosystem.
