about the project
Why Circular Economy matters
The circular economy aims to keep products, materials, and resources in the use cycle for as long as possible, making it a central element of sustainable business practices. In particular, remanufacturing—where used products are industrially refurbished to new-part quality—enables a harmonization between economic action and resource consumption. However, the transition to a circular economy is hindered by quality-dependent process flows in refurbishment. Variable process times and resource requirements caused by quality fluctuations in incoming products complicate process standardization and the creation of process transparency.The Innovative Approach of Circulytics
The “Circulytics” project aims to increase the economic viability of refurbishment through the use of digital technologies. The integrated approach connects product quality assessment at goods receipt with resource planning in a digital system to enable data-driven decision-making. To this end, an intelligent system automatically captures wear characteristics and damage at goods receipt using AI-supported classification. A resource monitoring framework then documents the (fluctuating) time expenditures in the subsequent process and combines them with quality data using a digital twin. This not only enables the simulation of various refurbishment scenarios but also the optimization of process flows. All data is managed during the process via a data integration platform with standardized interfaces, ensuring end-to-end traceability throughout the entire refurbishment process. Finally, data-based business models are developed that support holistic optimization through transparent resource allocation, for example, via quality-dependent take-back programs.
A Strong Consortium
An interdisciplinary consortium that combines scientific expertise and industrial implementation skills enables the development, validation, and utilization of the project results. In addition to the renowned Institute for Machine Tools and Industrial Management (iwb) at TU Munich, the following medium-sized companies are part of the project consortium: roeren, FAUSER, INOYAD, INWT, DEUTZ AG, ATC Waldenburg, EME, and BTS Turbo.Funding
The project is funded as part of the GreenTech Innovation Competition by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (funding reference 01MN26007A). The total project costs amount to 5.73 million €, of which 2.98 million € are funded.Duration
Circulytics started on February 1, 2026, and has a duration of three years.News
1.Consortium Meeting
all project partners came together at DEUTZ Ulm on 14.10.26.
Conference participation
Presentation at the 7th International Smart Factory Summit 2026.
Initial workshops in Work Package
In April and May 2026, requirements analyses were conducted with the application partners.
Kick-off GreenTech funding phase
On March 24 and 25, 2026, we had the opportunity to support the kick-off event of the second funding phase “Digital Technologies as a Lever for the Circular Economy” at the Forum Digitale Technologien—from the opening session to the panels and workshops
Kick-off at the Start of the Project
On February 19, 2026, the project partners met for the kick-off at the Institute for Machine Tools and Industrial Management (iwb) at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) in Garching near Munich. A launch that sets new impulses for the industrial circular economy.
PARTNER
roeren
roeren is an internationally active management consultancy based in Landshut. Since its founding in 2011, the company has supported manufacturing industries in further developing their production and value creation systems.
The focus is on solving complex challenges along the industrial value chain: from strategy definition to operational implementation in production. In areas such as remanufacturing, supply chain management, and process optimization, roeren brings comprehensive experience from international industry projects. In the context of Circulytics, roeren’s strength lies in connecting technical analysis, data-based decision support, and practical implementation expertise. The goal is to transfer new research approaches into robust, economically viable production processes. Through close collaboration with universities and research institutions, roeren purposefully integrates current scientific findings into industrial practice.
TU München/Institut für Werkzeugmaschinen & Betriebswissenschaften (iwb)
As one of the major production engineering research institutions in Germany, the iwb comprises three chairs of the TUM School of Engineering and Design located in Garching near Munich. The Chair of Industrial Management and Assembly Systems, the Chair of Machine Tools and Manufacturing Technology, and the Chair of Production Engineering and Energy Storage Systems define the research topics and focus areas of the iwb. These include additive manufacturing, battery production, laser technology, assembly systems and robotics, sustainable production, production management and logistics, as well as machine tools. As both specialists and generalists, the staff implement innovations through interdisciplinary thinking and action.
DEUTZ AG
DEUTZ AG is a traditional German manufacturer of drive systems based in Cologne, founded in 1864 as the world’s oldest engine factory, and is increasingly developing into a system provider for innovative and sustainable mobility and energy solutions. The company offers a broad drive portfolio for off-highway applications—from diesel-powered to fully electric solutions—growing in the power generator business and the defense sector, employing around 6,000 people worldwide, and achieving sales of approximately 2 billion euros in 2025 with an adjusted EBIT margin of 5.5% and investments of 85 million euros in research and development. The plant in Ulm is a key production site of DEUTZ AG in Ulm, focusing on the manufacturing and remanufacturing of engines and drive components, combining long-standing experience with modern series production.
INWT Statistics
INWT Statistics is a Berlin-based data science company with over ten years of experience in developing and implementing data-based applications for private and public clients. Founded in 2011 as a spin-off from the statistical consulting unit of the Free University of Berlin, it has combined analytical excellence with solid technical implementation from the outset. Today, the team develops tailored, robust, and scalable data solutions that are methodically precise and technically reliable in every phase—from conception to operation. A key strength is the ability to translate complex requirements from areas such as research, administration, and private industry into viable, user-centered solutions. In interdisciplinary teams with backgrounds in statistics, computer science, psychology, environmental sciences, physics, and economics, it works closely with clients and relies on agile methods to make results visible early, iteratively improve them, and flexibly respond to new requirements.
INOYAD Technologies
INOYAD Technologies is a young technology company based in Augsburg that supports companies in the digital transformation of production and logistics. As a spin-off of the Fraunhofer Society, INOYAD develops software solutions such as the INOYAD Digital Manufacturing System (IDMS), implements AI-supported applications for Smart Factory, ERP/MES integrations and real-time dashboards, and accompanies companies in the areas of Operational Excellence, shopfloor communication, and visual AI-based quality inspection. The flexible and innovative team focuses on fast, pragmatic implementation—from the idea to the finished solution.
FAUSER AG
FAUSER AG has been developing, distributing, and maintaining the FAUSER Software Suite since 1994. The modular platform of solutions for ERP, MES, MDE/BDE, and EAI is in use worldwide by over 1,200 customers. Medium-sized companies in manufacturing industries such as metal and plastics processing, as well as suppliers and contract manufacturers, benefit from the flexibly adaptable and intuitively operable FAUSER solutions.
ATC Waldenburg
ATC Waldenburg GmbH is a leading remanufacturing company based in Waldenburg, specializing in the professional refurbishment of vehicle components. The company supplies automotive manufacturers (OEMs), suppliers, and vehicle importers with refurbished parts, assemblies, and complete units for the spare parts business. As part of the global ATC Group with over 85 years of industry experience, the Waldenburg site combines state-of-the-art technology with rigorous quality control to deliver refurbished components that meet or exceed OE specifications.
BTS Turbo
BTS Turbo GmbH was founded in 2004 under the umbrella of the Bauer Group as the third pillar alongside the engines, machines, and technology divisions. The standards that BTS sets for itself have been lived within the Bauer Group for over 75 years: We want to quickly and flexibly fulfill our customers’ wishes while meeting the highest quality requirements. Topics such as sustainable business practices, modern environmentally friendly production methods, and energy efficiency are indispensable maxims for our entrepreneurial actions. The latest technologies are utilized within the Bauer Group: For example, BTS benefits in the remanufacturing sector from the high professional-industrial standards in the production process and a state-of-the-art machine park. The Bauer Group also relies on the latest technologies in areas like IT and communication, thereby creating an optimal work environment for BTS’s parts trade.
Elektro-Metall Export (EME)
The Elektro-Metall Export GmbH (EME) specializes in the development and manufacture of electromechanical components (actuators, joysticks, control units, cable harnesses, etc.) for international civil and military aviation and space travel. Since our founding in 1952, EME has been characterized by reliability, flexibility, quality, and a commitment to highly technical products. Our team strives to stay at the forefront of technology and continuously develop innovations to create better, lighter, safer, and more economical aircraft solutions.
Consortium leadership
Funding SPONSOR
project management agency
