KOLLEKT

Motivation

Resource scarcity, supply security, and growing regulatory requirements such as the End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation (ELV) pose increasing challenges for the automotive industry. At the same time, technological barriers, cost pressures, and insufficient product circularity have so far prevented efficient, economically viable plastics loops from becoming established.

To unlock environmental and economic potential throughout the recovery value chain, plastics as well as mechatronic and electronic products - such as a headlamp - must be specifically designed for circularity.

Objectives and Approach

The KOLLEKT research project aims to develop circular product concepts for plastics and mechatronic, lighting, and electronic products throughout their entire life cycle.

To achieve this, Design-for-Circularity approaches and R-strategies such as repair, reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling will be systematically integrated. In parallel, robust business models and a secure data ecosystem will be established and operated. A digital ecosystem twin will provide the central basis for an integrated economic and environmental assessment of circular processes. These systemic approaches will be implemented through demonstrators within the project consortium.

Innovations and Outlook

For the first time, the project combines sustainable materials, closed material loops, disassembly strategies, and material-based libraries within a systemic circular ecosystem. AI-supported robotic disassembly and sensor-based sorting methods increase recycling efficiency, while training programmes empower employees.

Connected data exchange integrates material, product, and process information in real time. Early involvement of SMEs, associations, and networks, together with the use of conferences, teaching, and publications, will support scaling and transferability to further industrial loops and electronic products.