Eco-design and Manufacturing of Next-Generation Tyre Sensors
Overview
Pilot 2 addresses the circularity of Tyre Pressure Monitoring Sensors (TPMS), which are widely used in modern vehicles to monitor tyre pressure and improve safety and efficiency. These sensors contain electronic components and batteries that are difficult to recycle or reuse.
The pilot explores eco-design strategies and manufacturing innovations that enable the development of next-generation tyre sensors designed for circularity, allowing easier disassembly, repair, reuse and recycling.
Key Activities
Key activities implemented within the pilot include:
Design improvements enabling simplified disassembly of sensors.
Identification of materials and components suitable for reuse or recycling.
Development of circular design guidelines for automotive sensor manufacturers.
Integration of sustainability assessment tools based on life-cycle thinking.
The pilot brought together electronics manufacturers, automotive companies and circular economy experts to test innovative approaches for sensor design and lifecycle management.
Objectives
The pilot aims to:
Develop eco-designed TPMS sensors that are easier to repair and recycle.
Enable recovery and reuse of electronic components and materials from used sensors.
Reduce environmental impact by improving design and manufacturing processes.
Support circular decision-making using digital assessment tools.
Results
The pilot demonstrated that sensor design can significantly influence circularity outcomes. Key outcomes include:
Improved product architecture enabling easier component recovery.
Reduction of waste generated from discarded TPMS sensors.
Identification of reuse pathways for key electronic components.
Validation of circular design methodologies applicable to automotive electronics.
Impact
By redesigning tyre sensors for circularity, the pilot contributes to more sustainable automotive electronics production and supports industry adoption of eco-design principles in safety-critical components.
The outcomes provide guidance for manufacturers seeking to comply with emerging EU regulations related to sustainable electronics and circular product design. They support the transition toward resource-efficient electronics production, reducing waste streams and enabling recovery of valuable materials embedded in sensors. This contributes to the EU’s broader goals of improving sustainability in the automotive and electronics sectors.
Relevance for SMEs
SMEs involved in electronics manufacturing, automotive parts supply and maintenance services can benefit from the circular design solutions demonstrated in this pilot. Improved sensor repairability creates new opportunities for maintenance providers, remanufacturing companies and specialised electronics repair SMEs.
In addition, SMEs producing electronic components can integrate circular design strategies into their product development processes, helping them meet future regulatory requirements and increasing their competitiveness in sustainable mobility markets.