Remanufacturing implementation on the shop floor – Insights from an industrial perspective

Transitioning to a circular economy is essential to decouple economic growth from resource consumption and ensure long-term competitiveness, especially in the European Union. Remanufacturing, a key strategy in this transition, involves reprocessing used products to meet or exceed original specifications, conserving resources, reducing energy consumption, and minimizing emissions. Despite its benefits, the integration of remanufacturing presents significant challenges, particularly on the shop floor, where uncertainties about the availability and quality of used products complicate processes. This paper develops a methodology for integrating remanufacturing into company operations, focusing on original equipment remanufacturers. Through practical insights derived from expert interviews, this work identifies key challenges and proposes a structured integration framework to support companies in adopting remanufacturing practices. The methodology emphasizes the operational aspects of introducing remanufacturing on the shop floor, addressing the needs of companies, and promoting the transition toward a circular economy.