Our Programme
Day One, 17th Sept. 2025
12:30
Arrival and Networking Lunch
Arrive, register, and enjoy a light lunch while connecting with fellow participants before the official start of re.fact 25.
13:30-14:00
Welcome
Welcome by the Vice President and your hosts Matthias Vette-Steinkamp and Fernand Weiland.
Session 1:
Shaping the Future: Trends and Frameworks in Global Remanufacturing
14:00-14:20
Remanufacturing - The most sustainable and complex business lacking a reference system model
In his talk, Daniel Köhler highlights remanufacturing as a highly sustainable and complex business field that still lacks a reference system model.
14:40-15:00
Project results ZirkulEA
Julia presents results from the KIT project ZirkulEA, focusing on circular economy in the automotive sector.
15:00-15:15
Break
Session 2:
Remanufacturing in the Supply Chain: Between Regulation and Innovation
15:15-15:45
ZF Remanufacturing: Designing for Circularity, Driving Sustainable Solutions
Jeff Stukenborg highlights how remanufacturing and circular design enable sustainable innovation.
15:45-16:15
Closing the Loop for Vehicle Electronics: A Service-Based Approach
Paul Caubert (Forvia) on circular strategies for vehicle electronics through service-based solutions.
16:45-17:00
Break
17:00-17:45
Lab Tour & Workshops
18:15
Champagne reception
The event concludes with a sparkling wine reception in the foyer.
19:00
Dinner
Join us for dinner to round off the day.
20:00
KADU
To end the day on a relaxed note, we invite you to Kadu, the university’s on-campus bar.
Day Two, 18th September 2025
9:00-9:15
Welcome
Welcome by your host Matthias Vette-Steinkamp.
Session 3:
Service Innovation for Circular Value Creation in Remanufacturing
9:15-9:45
Boost for climate protection: How the repair of turbine blades contributes to sustainable aviation
Henrik Westermann shows how repairing turbine blades boosts climate protection and supports sustainable aviation.
9:45-10:15
Remanufacturing of EV Batteries - Essential for successful adoption of Electric Vehicles
Mike Hague-Morgan on EV battery remanufacturing as a driver for e-mobility success.
10:15-11:00
Break
Session 4:
Design for Remanufacturing: Products, Processes and Circular Performance
11:00-11:30
Eco-Design Strategies at Scale: Towards a Regenerative Automotive Industry
Stellantis presents eco-design strategies at scale – paving the way for a regenerative automotive industry.
11:30-12:00
Factory Automation for Advanced Battery Systems: From Assembly to End-of-Life
Andreas Letsch explores how factory automation supports the entire lifecycle of advanced battery systems.
12:00-12:30
Lunch
Lunch will be provided on site for all participants.
Session 5:
Smart Remanufacturing: Robotics, AI and Digital Twins in Action
12:30-12:50
Humanoid Robotics in Remanufacturing: Exploring Industrial Use Cases and Future Potential
Yves Klein from Neura Robotics showcases how humanoid robots can transform remanufacturing processes.
12:50-13:10
Enabling Remanufacturing Through Digital Product Passports: Data, Traceability, and Impact
Elliana Jensen-Abieva (CircularTechForum) highlights the role of digital product passports in driving traceability and impact in remanufacturing.
13:10-13:30
From Energy Insight to Impact: Systemic Strategies for Efficiency, Sustainability and Profit
Horstmann (Kautz Starkstromanlagen) on systemic strategies for sustainable and profitable energy use.
13:30-13:50
From Energy Insight to Impact: Systemic Strategies for Efficiency, Sustainability and Profit
Horstmann (Kautz Starkstromanlagen) on systemic strategies for sustainable and profitable energy use.
14:00-14:30
Designing for Circularity: Insights from 25 Years of Research
Erik Sundin (Linköping University) shares key learnings from over two decades of research in remanufacturing, Product-Service Systems, and EcoDesign – with a focus on how design enables efficient, sustainable product lifecycles.