Project overview
The European CIRC-UITS project is an initiative aimed at improving sustainability and circularity in the European electronic components industry, with a particular focus on semiconductors.
Focusing on the key sectors of automotive and mass electronics, the project promotes end-of-life (EoL) strategies such as reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling of semiconductors from various sources.
The aim is to boost intra-EU production, reducing dependence on external suppliers, especially from the Far East. The project is in line with European Union directives and strategies, such as the European Chips Act (concerning semiconductors) and the Digital Product Passport (regulating e-waste), to address the challenges facing the electronic components industry in an integrated manner.
The specific objectives of the project
Fully exploiting the benefits of circular economy practices through digital technologies.
Increase the efficiency and independence of resources and reduce the negative environmental footprint of electronics manufacturing processes through circular behaviors.
Improve and standardize information and data sharing among industry leaders involved in the same value chain.
Demonstrate the benefits of the digital circular economy through four pilot projects.
Benefits for companies
Provide new business models and set requirements for the production of products that are not harmful to the environment.
Providing companies with the tools to make more sustainable decisions, thereby avoiding “greenwashing.”
Access for companies to a wider supply market, with an expansion of secondary raw materials and greater diversification.
Innovative value chains thanks to the widespread adoption and large-scale demonstration of new technologies.
The results
Pilot 1 – Eco-friendly EV inverters: development of a sustainable dashboard, eco-compatible benchmarks, innovative disassembly techniques, CO₂ footprint transparency, and increased competitiveness of green products.
Pilot 2 – Tire sensors: design with eco-friendly materials, disassemblable bonding, and cyber-factory and digital twin approaches to promote reuse and recycling.
Pilot 3 – Eco-friendly IME: integration of recyclable PCBs, LCA tools for printed electronics, EoL repairability, and best practices for large-scale IME production.
Pilot 4 – Obsolete PCBs: classification and analysis of materials, design of advanced recycling plants, and creation of secure warehouses for used PCBs.
Impact
New scientific studies on materials and applications in electronics.
New markets and technologies for materials and products.
Reducing the climate impact of flexible electronics manufacturing and accelerating the twin transitions (green and digital).
The role of MADE4.0
MADE4.0 is responsible for disseminating the project results, linking them to other European projects within the consortium.
