We are pleased to announce that our project partner TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research) has published a new scientific article in a peer-reviewed journal indexed on ScienceDirect. The publication, co-authored by Stephan Harkema (TNO), represents an important contribution to the scientific foundations of semiconductor circularity and reverse supply chain integration — core themes of the CIRC-UITS project. The article (DOI: S0921344925005622) is available via the ScienceDirect platform and addresses key challenges and opportunities related to the sustainable reuse and lifecycle management of industrially relevant semiconductors.
Scientific Contribution by TNO and Stephan Harkema
As a leading researcher at TNO, Stephan Harkema is actively involved in advancing applied research on circular economy models, sustainable manufacturing systems, and industrial value-chain transformation. His work focuses on translating circular economy principles into practical, scalable solutions for high-tech and manufacturing industries.
In this newly published article, Stephan Harkema and his co-authors provide scientific insights into how reverse supply chains, reuse strategies, and system-level approaches can support more resilient and resource-efficient semiconductor ecosystems. The publication contributes to the growing body of knowledge on how circularity can be embedded into complex, technology-intensive industrial sectors.
Relevance for the CIRC-UITS Project
The CIRC-UITS project (Circular Integration of independent Reverse supply Chains for the smart reUse of IndusTrially relevant Semiconductors) is an EU-funded Horizon Europe initiative aiming to improve circularity in the automotive and mass electronics sectors through innovative reuse, remanufacturing, and data-driven decision-making.
The publication authored by Stephan Harkema (TNO) reinforces CIRC-UITS objectives by:
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Providing scientific validation for circular semiconductor strategies explored within the project.
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Supporting the development of reverse supply chain frameworks relevant to industrial reuse scenarios.
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Strengthening the link between academic research and applied industrial pilots implemented in CIRC-UITS.
These insights are particularly valuable at a time when semiconductor supply chains face increasing pressure from material scarcity, geopolitical risks, and sustainability requirements.
Strengthening Research-Driven Impact
This peer-reviewed publication highlights the strong research capacity within the CIRC-UITS consortium and underlines the importance of collaboration between research organisations and industry partners. Contributions from experts such as Stephan Harkema ensure that CIRC-UITS is grounded in robust scientific evidence while delivering practical solutions for Europe’s transition toward a circular electronics economy.
We congratulate TNO and Stephan Harkema on this important achievement and look forward to further research-driven outcomes emerging from the project.