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Obsolete industrial parts supplier, EU Automation has published an industry guide for manufacturers interested in making their production method more sustainable by contributing to the circular economy.
The circular economy focuses on keeping resources at their highest utility and value at all times. As well as minimising waste and energy losses, it also improves the environmental impact of manufacturing and reduces the risk of obsolescence.
A report published by ABN AMRO and Circle Economy argues that the automotive industry is in a unique position to use circular economy principles to implement new strategies and collaboration across the entire value chain. EU Automation believes there is similar potential for other industries. In its latest one-page guide, the global firm has compiled a series of relevant resources for companies taking their first steps towards a circular economy model.
Digital consumer trends are creating new mobility demands that require radical innovation in terms of car design, use, and end-of-use strategies. Innovation in cars is currently driven by a powerful policy push; yet a shift is taking place as these consumer demands are creating an ever-stronger pull.
Policy-driven innovation is primarily focused on safety (warning systems, sensors) and reducing emissions (fuel economy, lightweighting). Consumers create a pull force for a ‘smartphone on wheels’. They want connectivity and more services and features in their vehicles.
Consumer demands for new mobility business models such as sharing and leasing will increase the utilisation of the car and result in shorter lifetimes for vehicles.
EU Automation’s Jonathan Wilkins explained: “There is a lot of support for businesses wanting to follow a circular economy business model, if they know where to look. The UK trade body for automation, control, instrumentation and laboratory technology, GAMBICA offers support for manufacturers who want to comply, for example.
“Furthermore, the European Commission recently established the Ecodesign Directive which ensures manufacturers of energy-using products reduce energy consumption and the environmental impact of products at the design stage.”
EU Automation’s industry guide offers companies advice on where they can turn to find support and the directives they should follow in order to be compliant with the circular economy. It can be downloaded for free from the company’s website, along with its previous industry guides – www.euautomation.com/uk/automated/industry-guides.
Source: themanufacturer
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