The CIRC-UITS project is proud to announce the publication of its new open-access handbook, “Circular Approaches for the Ecodesign, Repair and Remanufacturing of Car and Mass Electronics – The CIRC-UITS Project.” The book presents key insights, methodologies and lessons learned from the Horizon Europe CIRC-UITS project, offering practical guidance on how circular economy principles can be applied in the automotive and electronics sectors.
The handbook, edited by Paolo Rosa and Sergio Terzi and published by Springer in the SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology series, provides a comprehensive overview of how circular design, repair, remanufacturing and recycling can transform electronic product value chains. It summarises the scientific and industrial results generated during the project and explains how companies can integrate circularity into product design, manufacturing and end-of-life management.
Key Knowledge Result of the CIRC-UITS Project
The publication represents an important milestone and knowledge output of the CIRC-UITS project. The project itself focuses on improving circularity in the automotive and mass electronics sectors by enabling the recovery of valuable materials from electronic waste and supporting the reuse and remanufacturing of components in new high-value products.
Within this framework, the handbook explains how circular economy strategies can be implemented across the electronics lifecycle. It presents approaches such as:
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Eco-design for electronics, enabling products to be easier to repair, disassemble and recycle
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Repair and remanufacturing strategies that extend product lifetime
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Digital tools and technologies supporting circular decision-making
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Lifecycle sustainability assessment methods for evaluating environmental and economic impacts
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Circular supply chain models connecting manufacturers, recyclers and service providers
The publication also highlights the results of the four industrial pilots demonstrated within the project, covering circular solutions for Electronic Control Units (ECUs), tyre sensors, In-Mold Electronics (IME), and the recovery and sorting of obsolete printed circuit boards (PCBs).
Supporting SMEs in the Transition to Circular Electronics
One of the key strengths of the handbook is its practical relevance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs play a crucial role in the electronics value chain, particularly in areas such as component manufacturing, repair services, recycling, and specialised engineering solutions. However, many smaller companies face challenges when implementing circular economy strategies due to limited resources or access to knowledge.
The CIRC-UITS handbook provides SMEs with a valuable resource to help overcome these barriers. It offers:
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Practical methodologies for assessing circularity and sustainability in electronic products
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Guidelines for eco-design and repairability, helping companies develop more sustainable products
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Examples of circular business models applicable to electronics manufacturing and services
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Insights into digital tools and data-sharing approaches that support circular supply chains
By translating advanced research into practical guidance, the publication helps SMEs understand how circular practices can reduce material costs, improve product lifecycle management and open new business opportunities in repair, remanufacturing and component reuse.
Strengthening Europe’s Circular Electronics Ecosystem
The handbook also contributes to broader European sustainability goals. The growing demand for electronics and semiconductors has increased pressure on natural resources and highlighted Europe’s dependency on imported materials. Circular strategies—such as reuse, repair and materials recovery—are therefore essential to build more resilient and sustainable electronics supply chains.
By sharing knowledge developed through the CIRC-UITS project, the handbook supports companies, researchers and policymakers working to accelerate the transition toward a circular and resource-efficient electronics industry.
Open Access for Industry and Research Communities
The handbook is available free of charge as an open-access publication, ensuring that its knowledge and insights are accessible to companies, researchers, policymakers and innovation stakeholders across Europe and beyond.
📘 Read the handbook: Circular Approaches for the Ecodesign, Repair and Remanufacturing of Car and Mass Electronics