RESCOM · Resource Conservative Manufacturing- transforming waste into high value resource through closed-loop product systems

In a world with growing pressures on resources and the environment, the EU has no choice but to go for the transition to a resource-efficient and ultimately regenerative circular economy. The main objective of the ResCoM project is to develop an innovative framework and a collaborative software platform for the industrial implementation of closed-loop manufacturing systems.In ResCoM, four manufacturers who are active in B2B and B2C markets (Gorenje, tedrive, Bugaboo and Loewe) will pilot a closed loop product system in their businesses. These pilots will demonstrate how the collecting, remanufacturing and upcycling of discarded products into new added-value products will be cost-effective, resource-efficient and more sustainable than the current linear manufacturing systems.To support the pilot development, the ResCoM consortium will develop a framework based on methodologies and tools that take in account the complex, dynamic interation between product design (design for multiple product lifecycles), supply chain management (integrated supply chains), business model development (closed-loop business models) and remanufacturing processes .To support the pilot operations, the ResCoM consortium will develop a software platform consisting of a closed-loop product lifecycle management module coupled with a materials information module. The platform will help guide design decisions by illustrating the benefits of closed loop product design in terms of resource efficiency, CO2 production and energy use, and will provide business metrics such as lifecycle cost estimates, rapid identification of critical materials, product specific and remanufacturing considerations and legislative requirements. The platform will be tested and evaluated by the manufacturers.The ResCoM project results will be useful within a wide range of businesses and will equip industries and policy-makers with the tools required to support the transition to a closed-loop model.