Panel Eco-Design to enable remanufacturing
The panel discussion addressed "Eco Design to enable Remanufacturing" from multiple perspectives. Key theses included the ongoing challenges companies face in transitioning from linear structures and mindsets toward circular product development. Despite this, substantial progress was acknowledged, with businesses increasingly investing in sustainable innovations. The critical role of clear Eco Design regulations was emphasized as essential for ensuring long-term sustainable product design. Additionally, participants highlighted the necessity for practical support and clear guidelines to assist companies in effectively implementing Eco Design, given the complexity and demanding nature of these requirements.
Speakers
Paul Caubert is Circular Economy Strategy and Program Manager at FORVIA, within Faurecia Clarion Electronics Europe division. Since 2022, he has held positions in Strategy, M&A and Programs in different parts of FORVIA Group.
Previously, Paul worked on innovation policies and public funding within the office of the French Minister of Transports, contributing to the post-covid recovery plan and France 2030 investment plan.
Graduated as an Engineer from Ecole Polytechnique in France, Paul started his career in Strategy Consulting.
Fernand Weiland 30 years in management positions with Bendix Automotive, Lucas Automotive, Magneti Marelli Automotive and TRW Automotive.
Fernand Weiland , honorary member and founder APRA ( Automotive Parts Remanufacturer Assoc.) European Division in 1989, serving as the division’s first chairman for more than 20 years. Between 1990 and 2010 he organised a considerable number of APRA forums, workshops and exhibitions across Europe.
A co-founder of the biennial ReMaTec remanufacturing exhibitions in Amsterdam, Fernand Weiland has written numerous articles for the ReMaTecNews magazine as well as editing five books about automotive remanufacturing in Europe. He was also instrumental in setting up APRA’s established Asia-Pacific Division. In 2019 Fernand was honoured with the prestigious Best Reman Ambassador Award presented by Rematec Amsterdam. Fernand is currently editor and Director of FJW Consulting.
Based in Brussels, Director since January 2017. The aim of the Council is to grow remanufacturing in Europe to sales of €100 billion by 2030. He participates in the World Economic Forum, WBCSD, UNEP and is a member of the EU Ecodesign Forum and EU Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform. "Pleasing to see that both the 'Clean Industrial Deal' and 'Competition Compass' highlight the need for increased remanufacturing in Europe".
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Vette-Steinkamp became Professor of Robotics and Control Engineering at Trier University of Applied Sciences, Environmental Campus Birkenfeld, in 2020. He is a member of the Birkenfeld Institutes of Technology and spokesperson for the profile area of materials and production technology for the energy transition.
As head of the research group for environmentally friendly production processes, he supports companies in implementing sustainable technologies. His research spectrum includes remanufacturing, circular economy, and the use of industry 4.0 technologies, robotics, and artificial intelligence in production. With his research group, he develops methods for the manufacturing, assembly, and disassembly of industrial products with the aim of minimizing resource consumption, energy demand, and CO₂ emissions and making optimal use of the principles of the circular economy.
He is leading several international and national research projects, including the Interreg projects Robot-Hub-Transfer and Robot-Hub-Academy, the BMBF competence center for labor economics and circular economy Komatra, as well as the European automotive cluster PAE Green+, which is dedicated to the decarbonization of the automotive value chain.
In addition to his scientific work, he regularly organizes the Symposium for Innovation and Automation in the Circular Economy.
Prof. Vette-Steinkamp is a founding member of the German Robotics Association, where he is responsible for the research coordination and continuing education working group.
In 2022, he co-founded ignite AI GmbH, where he heads the Campus Consulting group. In 2024, he co-founded the Institute for Sustainability Technology and Education with partners.