Ireland-based Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) has launched a €6.9m pan-European initiative aimed at scaling advanced remanufacturing capabilities through robotics, artificial intelligence, digital twins and industrial traceability systems, strengthening circular manufacturing capacity across European industrial value chains relevant to construction and heavy industry supply networks.

Business Plus reported that the REWIRE project is being delivered under the EU’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme and is focused on integrated approaches to remanufacturing across sectors including automotive, heavy machinery and electronics.

The initiative brings together research organisations, industrial partners and universities across eight European countries to address structural barriers including fragmented digital systems, limited robotics adoption, traceability gaps and skills shortages.

The project is designed to develop integrated industrial tools including lifecycle traceability systems, modular robotics platforms, AI-driven disassembly and inspection tools, predictive safety systems and digital product passport frameworks.

Barry Kennedy, chief executive of IMR, said: “REWIRE represents an important step in building Europe’s capability in advanced remanufacturing.”

He added: “By combining industrial know-how with robotics, AI and digital technologies, the project will help manufacturers recover more value from products and components, strengthen competitiveness, and support the transition to a more circular and sustainable industrial base.”

Dr Aswin Ramasubramanian, robotics technologist at IMR, said: “As REWIRE Coordinator, I am proud to lead this multi-million euro project and bring together a talented European expert team to show that remanufacturing can be just as fast, flexible and trusted as first-time manufacturing.”

He added that the initiative aims to support manufacturers in recovering value, reducing waste and improving supply chain resilience through automation and data-driven systems.

Explore the full details on IMR’s €6.9m REWIRE smart remanufacturing project here.