Scania announces plan to reuse components on main assembly line

Scania said it reached a milestone by integrating reused components on its main assembly line in Sweden. The remanufactured gearbox underwent the same rigorous testing as gearboxes made from new parts, meeting all quality and performance standards required for installation on Scania vehicles, according to the company. Scania added that the remanufacturing process used approximately 50% less material and resulted in 45% fewer carbon emissions compared to gearboxes made entirely from new components.

Scania said that it sees remanufacturing, which involves reusing old parts to create products of as-good-as-new quality, as a promising strategy for achieving climate goals and supporting a transition to a circular economy. Despite its potential, the company noted that remanufacturing in the European automotive sector is largely limited to aftermarket spare parts, accounting for just 1.1% of new manufacturing, according to a 2015 report by the European Remanufacturing Network.

This initiative, part of the iReGear joint research project, was conducted in collaboration with KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Scandinavian Transmission Service AB. The project was funded by Vinnova, the Swedish innovation agency.

According to a press release, the iReGear project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of integrating remanufactured components directly into the production lines of new vehicles, rather than limiting their use to aftermarket sales. The project expects this approach to help create a more sustainable and cleaner transport industry.

“This remanufactured gearbox is a compelling example of how the manufacturing of heavy vehicles can become more sustainable, circular and efficient while retaining the highest quality standards,” said Fredrik Nilzén, head of sustainability at Scania.

Farazee Asif, assistant professor at KTH, added, “This research provides the first evidence to support the argument that it is feasible to envision future manufacturing organizations seamlessly integrating manufacturing and remanufacturing operations.”

“It’s amazing to challenge the old perception that remanufactured parts can only be used for aftermarket purposes. This project shows that it could become a reality in the near future,” noted Ola Stålebo, chief executive officer of Scandinavian Transmission Service AB.