Circular economy in the automotive industry: TECOSIM to present pioneering project at Ü:MO in ARENA2036
How can the circular economy be effectively integrated into the automotive supply chain, spanning product development, manufacturing, and ultimately, end-of-life vehicle recycling? What methodological strategies are needed to ensure circularity throughout the entire value chain? These questions are the focus of a deep dive workshop on circular economy at the Ü:MO 2025 event in ARENA2036 in Stuttgart on 26 June 2025.
TECOSIM will be represented by a motivational lecture delivered by Dr Robert Dannecker, its Technical Manager. During his talk entitled ‘EcoDesign4R and automated disassembly – enablers for circular value creation of the future’, he will give insights into the EcoPass3D research project funded by the state of Baden-Württemberg as part of its InvestBW programme. TECOSIM is leading the consortium in this endeavour.
Digital twins for a sustainable future
The aim of EcoPass3D is to simulate and optimise intelligent disassembly processes for vehicles using digital twins and automated robotics. Future material recovery will thus be taken into account during the initial stages of vehicle development. One key component is the creation of machine-readable disassembly plans, which will enable robots to recover vehicle components efficiently without causing any damage.
Focus on circular economy
The workshop is part of the EcoFrame project funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), which is developing methodological strategies for integrating circularity into the automotive value chain sustainably. Representatives from research and industry are working together on identifying concrete solutions, highlighting challenges and defining suitable framework conditions for a future-proof circular economy.
ARENA2036 – next generation research campus
The event is taking place at ARENA2036, one of the leading research campuses in Germany, which delivers pioneering developments in mobility thanks to close cooperation between academia and industry. As a registered association and part of the funding initiative Research Campus – Public-Private Partnership for Innovation, ARENA2036 is also funded by the BMFTR.
TECOSIM actively helps shape the future
With its active participation in projects such as EcoPass3D, TECOSIM underscores its commitment to helping create sustainable solutions throughout a vehicle’s entire lifespan – from the initial product idea through to end-of-use. Developing technologies for a viable circular economy is a key element in this endeavour.
“Transformation to a circular economy is not an option; it is essential for achieving ecological balance and maximizing efficiency. As a development partner, we assume responsibility and active help shape the transition in the automotive industry with innovative approaches such as EcoPass3D,” affirms Dr Dannecker.
Photo: Arena2036 / Corinna Spitzbarth
