The automotive sector is undergoing a profound transformation, facing increasingly complex challenges related to technological innovation, sustainability, and the transition towards more circular production models. In a global context dominated by evolving markets and the urgent need to reduce environmental impact, the industry looks to the future with a growing commitment to pursuing eco-friendly and technologically advanced solutions. The adoption of circular economy practices has therefore become imperative to ensure a more sustainable and competitive future.
In this context, the TREASURE project (Leading the TRansition of the European Automotive SUpply chain towards a circulaR futurE) aims to overcome technological barriers in the automotive sector, demonstrating that the circular economy is not only sustainable but also economically advantageous.
Specifically, the project focused on two critical challenges: the recovery of critical materials from end-of-life vehicles and the lack of collaboration and data sharing across the automotive supply chain. By leveraging advanced technologies such as collaborative robotics, digital twins, bio-hydrometallurgical processes, and in-mold electronics, TREASURE optimized the connection between the early and end-of-life phases of products, promoting material recovery and eco-design practices.
One of the project's key outcomes is an innovative software platform designed to foster the creation of circular supply chains. The platform facilitates data access and exchange among dismantlers, recyclers, and manufacturers, providing decision-making support for end-of-life-oriented electronic component design. It has also enabled a scientific assessment of the circularity potential resulting from the application of advanced technologies in the automotive sector.
SUPSI's contribution
During the project, coordinated by Politecnico di Milano within the Horizon 2020 framework, the research group from the Sustainable Production Systems (SPS) Laboratory developed an integrated methodological framework to measure the sustainability impacts and circularity of the lifecycle of electronic components, providing decision-making support for design, disassembly, and recycling.
This methodology serves as the foundation for developing decision-support tools integrated into the software platform. These tools offer quantitative analyses, recommendations, and best practices to assist supply chain stakeholders in improving the sustainability and circularity of their choices.
Paving the way for future research
The TREASURE project has laid the foundation for positioning the automotive sector as a leader in sustainability and innovation within the circular economy. Its results have also paved the way for funding CIRCUITS, a new Horizon Europe project in which SUPSI will once again be a partner. CIRCUITS will focus on developing advanced solutions to enhance the circularity of electronic materials and automotive components. SUPSI's research continues to support companies in their transition toward more sustainable and circular products and processes.