UPCOMING EVENTS
re.fact 26 – International Symposium on Innovation and Automation in Remanufacturing
Online-Event
April 15 2026
Endorsed by:
APRA Europe AISBL
International non-profit association representing the interests of the automotive remanufacturing industry.
Rematec
Rematec is the world's leading platform for remanufacturing. Rematec is the only independent trade brand dedicated to automotive remanufacturing worldwide.
The re.fact 26 online symposium is the meeting point for experts from research and industry to explore how eco-design enables remanufacturing and circular products. Discover how design decisions drive repairability, reuse, and long-term value creation within circular value chains.
📅 Save the Date: Tuesday, April 15, 2026
🕒 Time: 14:00 – 15:30 CET
🌐 Location: Online
This edition will focus on:
“Eco-Design: Enabling Remanufacturing and Circular Products”
Product design plays a decisive role in enabling circular value chains. Decisions made during the design phase determine whether products can be repaired, refurbished or remanufactured later in their life cycle. Integrating circular design principles therefore becomes increasingly important for companies aiming to extend product lifetimes and recover valuable components.
Join us for insights from research and industry, including:
- Current Developments in Remanufacturing and Circular Economy
An overview of recent developments and initiatives shaping circular product strategies. - Industry Best Practice
A practical example from industry demonstrating how remanufacturing can be implemented in real-world applications. - Eco-Design for Circular Products
How design choices influence repairability, reuse and remanufacturing potential across product life cycles. - Outlook: Eco-Design Training and Workshops
Introduction to upcoming workshops and training opportunities focusing on eco-design methods for engineers and product developers.
Thank you for your participation!
We look forward to welcoming you at the next event.
Welcome Message
Matthias
Vette-Steinkamp
Trier University of Applied Sciences,
Environmental Campus Birkenfeld
It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the Symposium for Innovation and Automation in Remanufacturing. This event has become an important platform for exchanging ideas, presenting new research, and building bridges between academia, industry, and policy. Our joint goal is to strengthen remanufacturing as a key element of the circular economy and to develop practical solutions for a more sustainable and climate-friendly industry.
The topics we address here, from digitization, artificial intelligence and robotics to additive manufacturing, logistics and eco-design, reflect the dynamic transformation of our field. They highlight not only the technological opportunities but also the responsibility we share to shape the future of production in a way that conserves resources and reduces emissions.
I would like to thank our partners, sponsors and the many experts who contribute their knowledge and experience to this symposium. Their commitment makes it possible to create an environment where innovative ideas can grow and where lasting collaborations can emerge.
I wish all participants an inspiring exchange, fruitful discussions and new impulses for their research and professional practice. Let us work together to make remanufacturing a strong driver of sustainability in Europe and beyond.
Fernand
Weiland
FJW Consulting
For more than thirty years, I have had the privilege of working within the international automotive and remanufacturing industry, and I have witnessed how remanufacturing has grown from a rather unknown activity into a recognized and respected part of the global circular economy. It has always been my conviction that cooperation, knowledge sharing, and strong networks are the key drivers of this development.
This symposium is a clear expression of that spirit. It brings together professionals from different backgrounds, uniting research, industry, and policy around the shared goal of making remanufacturing stronger, more innovative, and more visible. Platforms like this are not only about technology and processes, they are also about building a community that is committed to sustainability and determined to provide practical solutions for the future.
I am proud to see how far the industry has come, and equally excited to see how much potential still lies ahead. With the challenges of climate change and resource scarcity, remanufacturing is more relevant than ever before. Events like this give us the opportunity to shape the future together, by combining our expertise, experience, and vision.
I warmly thank all partners and participants for their contributions and dedication. I wish you an inspiring and successful symposium, and I look forward to the ideas and collaborations that will emerge from our discussions. .
Leading experts from industry, science and politics took part in the Remanufacturing Symposium 2024 on two consecutive days (@Bastian Franz).
The final highlight of the symposium: panel discussion with Fernand Weiland, Professor Winifred Ijomah, Sören Toft-Jensen and Hanno Großeschmidt (@Thomas Bartscherer).
Remanufacturing: A Key Player in the Circular Economy
Remanufacturing is a standardized industrial process that restores used products (called cores) to a “like-new or better” condition. These products meet strict engineering, quality, and testing standards and are provided with the same warranty as new parts.
Unlike waste or scrap, a core is a valuable resource that can be professionally refurbished and reintroduced into the market.
Why is Remanufacturing so crucial nowadays?
Sustainability: Saves raw materials and energy, reducing waste and environmental impact.
Resource Efficiency: Extends product lifecycles and minimizes reliance on new resources.
Cost Benefits: Offers high-quality products at lower production costs.
Circular Economy: Closes the loop by keeping products and materials in use for longer.
Opportunities for Companies through Remanufacturing
Market Growth: Affordable alternatives for cost-sensitive customers.
Stronger Brand Image: Demonstrates commitment to sustainability.
Compliance: Meets growing global environmental regulations.
Innovation: New technologies and processes create competitive advantage.
Chances of Artificial Intelligence in Remanufacturing
Artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation are transforming remanufacturing by enabling:
- Automated quality control through image recognition.
- Predictive maintenance to reduce downtime.
- Flexible robotic disassembly and assembly.
- Data-driven planning and resource optimization.
- Human-robot collaboration, enhancing both safety and efficiency.
Remanufacturing is not only a cornerstone of the circular economy but also a smart business strategy. With the integration of AI and automation, companies can achieve greater efficiency, reduce costs, and build a future-ready, sustainable production model.